NBA Trade Window: 3 centers the Houston Rockets should target this month

The Houston Rockets endured a disastrous start to the 2018/19 NBA season, and up until November, the team sat well outside the Western Conference playoff places. Nevertheless, the Rockets have since put together an incredible run of form, and the team has now won seven of their last nine games.

The Rockets' purple patch of form has elevated the team to 4th in the West standings, and the team is just 4.5 games back from the conference-leading Denver Nuggets.

However, despite the Rockets excellent recent run of form, the team's roster remains incredibly thin, and the likes of Chris Paul and Eric Gordon are still out with injury. In addition to this, starting center Clint Capela suffered a recent thumb injury that has ruled him out for up to six weeks.

This has left the Rockets extremely vulnerable at the center position, and the aging Nene is currently the teams only senior option. Due to this, the Rockets are likely to be in the market for a big man this month, and here we will look at three options for Houston.

#3 Dewayne Dedmon

Dewayne Dedmon was undrafted during the 2013 NBA draft, however, the center has since represented the Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, and is currently impressing with the Atlanta Hawks.

The 29-year-old has enjoyed the best spell of his career since joining the Hawks two years ago, and for the first time in his career, Dedmon has established himself as starter. Dedmon will also become a free agent this summer, and his tally of 9.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game is a major upgrade on what the Rockets currently have. The Hawks have little left to play for this season, and the Rockets should be confident of completing a move for Dedmon this month.

#2 Channing Frye

Channing Frye first represented the Cavaliers between 2016 and 2018, although the team traded him away to the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 trade deadline, in the deal that also took Isaiah Thomson to Los Angeles. Nevertheless, after playing just nine games in the famous purple and gold, Frye rejoined the Cavs on a one-year deal last summer.

The deal looked to be a good one at the time, however, the Cavs have since looked to youth due to their disastrous start to the season. Due to this, Frye has played in just 21 games and is averaging less than 10 minutes per night.

In his limited time on the court, the 35-year-old has demonstrated that he can still have an impact, and the Rockets would be able to acquire Frye for little in return. The veterans versatility to play at both center and power forward would also benefit Houston, so a Rockets move for Frye makes sense.

#1 Nerlens Noel

Oklahoma City Thunder v New Orleans Pelicans

Nerlens Noel suffered a serious looking fall during the Thunders recent game against the Minnesota Timberwolves and hasn't played since. Nevertheless, Noel didn't suffer a longterm injury and is expected to exit concussion protocol later this week. Noel's impending return means that he is an excellent candidate to solve the Rockets issues at center.

The 24-year-old has spent the majority of his NBA career as a starter, although Noel has embraced a role from the bench since signing with the Thunder last summer on a contract worth just $1,757,429. While playing back up to Steven Adams, Noel has averaged 5.1 points and 4.6 rebounds a game, despite only playing 13.1 minutes a night.

The Thunder are reportedly considering a move for Kevin Love, and due to this, Noel could be deemed expendable by the franchise. The center can also opt out of his deal with OKC at the end of the season, so if the Thunder are willing to make a deal this month, Noel is the perfect candidate to fill in for Clint Capela.