With the NBA trade deadline just days away - Thursday at 2:00 PM Central - the rumor mill is heating up, and the Houston Rockets have quietly entered the conversation. Despite limited cap flexibility and a roster already showing signs of cohesion, league sources say Houston is exploring the market for help in the frontcourt. Specifically, they’re eyeing veteran big man Andre Drummond.
Let’s break down why that makes sense.
The Rockets’ Frontcourt Crunch
Steven Adams is out for the season with a severe ankle injury, and that’s left the Rockets a little thin behind Alperen Sengun. Clint Capela is holding down the backup center role, but beyond him, the depth chart gets murky. The Rockets are just $1.2 million shy of the first-apron hard cap, which means any move they make has to be financially savvy - low-cost, low-risk, and ideally, playoff-tested.
That’s where Drummond enters the picture.
Andre Drummond: A Logical Fit
Drummond, currently with Philadelphia, has found himself buried on the bench behind rookie Adem Bona and small-ball option Dominick Barlow. He’s played in 37 games this season, averaging 6.8 points and 8.7 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per night. For a team like Houston, those are valuable bench minutes - especially in a playoff race where second-unit production can swing games.
At $5 million on an expiring deal, Drummond’s contract is both movable and manageable. For the Sixers, trading him could help them duck under the tax line. For Houston, it’s a chance to add a proven rebounder and interior presence without blowing up the roster or the books.
What Could a Deal Look Like?
The Rockets have a handful of tradable contracts that could help facilitate a deal. Jae’Sean Tate, Aaron Holiday, Josh Okogie, Steven Adams (despite being sidelined), and even Tari Eason could be in play. Eason, notably, is headed for unrestricted free agency this summer after extension talks stalled - a situation that might prompt Houston to explore his value on the market.
There’s also the option of sweetening a deal with a draft pick - either a first or second-rounder - depending on how aggressive the Rockets want to get. That said, Okogie has been a key depth piece this season, and it’s hard to see Houston parting ways with him unless the return is significant.
What’s Next?
With the deadline looming, it’s a waiting game. Houston’s interest in Drummond is real, but whether that materializes into a deal depends on a lot of moving parts - cap math, roster fit, and how other teams position themselves in the final hours before the buzzer.
The Rockets are back on the court Wednesday night at Toyota Center, tipping off at 7:00 p.m. Until then, the front office will be working the phones, looking for that one move that could bolster their playoff push without disrupting the chemistry they’ve built.