Report: Rockets could target backup center by February trade deadline
With offseason signing Jock Landale unable to secure a rotation spot under head coach Ime Udoka, the Houston Rockets are frequently running 37-year-old forward Jeff Green as the backup center behind Alperen Sengun. But between Green’s age and an obvious lack of height and bulk, many have wondered if it’s a season-long solution.
If Rockets general manager Rafael Stone has his way leading up to the in-season trade deadline of the NBA’s 2023-24 campaign in early February, there will soon be another alternative.
Per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports:
Houston could look to make an upgrade in their frontcourt behind Alperen Şengün, sources said, after free-agent signee Jock Landale hasn’t become a fixture in head coach Ime Udoka’s rotation.
Fischer didn’t cite a specific Rockets target in his story, which was published Friday. However, he mentioned Atlanta big man Clint Capela — who spent several seasons with Houston in the 2010s — as among the leading candidates to potentially move. Another option could be Washington’s Daniel Gafford, Fischer writes.
Gafford, 25, is averaging 10.8 points (69.2% FG) and 7.7 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game, while Capela, 29, is averaging 11.8 points (58.3% FG) and 10.7 rebounds in 25.8 minutes.
“Houston could look to make an upgrade in their frontcourt behind Alperen Şengün, sources said, after free-agent signee Jock Landale hasn’t become a fixture in head coach Ime Udoka’s rotation.”
Mentions Daniel Gafford as a trade candidate for teams in need of a center https://t.co/YoQ96PMAFn
— Adam Abramson (@Adam_Abramson1) December 23, 2023
