According to NBA insiders Kelly Iko, Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Houston Rockets are keeping tabs on Kelly Olynyk, Clint Capela, Andre Drummond and Robert Williams III.
The Rockets are looking to bolster their rim protection.
“The Rockets, league sources said, are also exploring the center market, looking to bolster their rim protection,” Iko, Charania and Amick wrote. “According to those sources, Houston is keeping tabs on Utah’s Kelly Olynyk, Atlanta’s Clint Capela, Chicago’s Andre Drummond and Portland’s Robert Williams III (who has fans throughout the current coaching staff) among others.”
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka wants to acquire a big man who can play with Alperen Sengun. Udoka coached Williams III on the Boston Celtics.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kelly Olynyk, Clint Capela, Andre Drummond, Robert Williams III, Houston Rockets Updates
Olynyk is averaging 8.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks this season for the Utah Jazz while shooting 56.0% from the field, 42.5% from beyond the arc and 82.9% from the free-throw line. He’s making $12.2 million in the final year of his deal. Olynyk played 27 games for the Rockets in 2020-21.
Capela, who began his NBA career in Houston, is averaging 11.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.6 blocks for the Atlanta Hawks while shooting 57.2% from the floor and 65.4% from the foul line. He’s making $20.6 million.
Drummond is averaging 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Chicago Bulls while shooting 55.5% overall and 56.3% from the charity stripe. He’s making $3.4 million in the final year of his contract.
Williams III only played in six games for the Portland Trail Blazers this season before undergoing season-ending right knee surgery. He averaged 6.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks while shooting 65.4% from the field and 77.8% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kelly Olynyk, Clint Capela, Andre Drummond, Robert Williams III, Houston Rockets Updates
The Rockets are 22-24 on the season. They are in 11th place in the Western Conference standings. Udoka wants to make the playoffs this season, which is why Houston’s front office could make a big trade before the NBA trade deadline, which is on February 8.
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