Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
Getty
Kevin Durant #7, Alperen Sengun #28, and Amen Thompson #1 of the Houston Rockets pose for a photo during the NBA Media Day at Toyota Center on September 29, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
The Houston Rockets are one of the top Western Conference teams hoping to contend for an NBA Championship this season. Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun both currently playing like All-Stars will give them a strong chance of success due to top-level talent. Houston also has a strong supporting cast of talented young players, but something is clearly missing.
Most expected the Rockets to trade for a point guard. However, Yahoo Sports reports that Houston is considering adding another center:
“Reserve big Clint Capela’s number has been called recently, and the veteran center has responded positively with 16 rebounds in his last two stints. But with Adams expected to miss a decent chunk of the season, Rockets officials are still weighing whether or not to add another big to the roster whether via a trade prior to the Feb. 5 deadline or the ensuing buyout market afterward.”
This report is a bit confusing to fans that view the Rockets as having enough centers on the roster but lacking a true point guard. Houston has prioritized size due to head coach Ime Udoka preferring to have a bruiser big man always on the court battling for rebounds throughout a game.
Do The Rockets Need More Centers?
The main reason for Houston wanting another center is the injury to veteran Steven Adams. Rockets management added Clint Capela to backup Adams, but the latter missing more time will see Capela expected to play more minutes. Most fans are surprised at this due to Sengun being a natural center fully able to play the position.
Udoka has shown that he likes to have Adams or another big that can scrap in the paint on both sides on the court with Sengun. Capela is the only center that can do this during Adams’ time on the injured list to complicate the team’s plans.
Houston will likely only look at cheap veteran options or wait for a buyout since they won’t trade their prized assets for a stop gap reserve. Time will tell if the Rockets get their desired addition since teams giving up on their centers must happen before they can add an ideal player.
Confusing Plan For Rockets Lacking Guard
Most view Houston as having the same flaw all season of missing a starting point guard. Fred VanVleet getting injured before the season hurt the team missing a true reserve to make up those minutes. Young talents Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard have played out of position by taking on point guard duties.
Recent reports suggested that Udoka doesn’t want to add another point guard at the trade deadline due to the price being too high. Houston clearly thinks another center will be cheaper and easier to add to make that a priority.
However, the same plan could apply to point guard if a veteran gets waived to hit the buyout market. Rockets management must make another small move or two to have any realistic chance of contending for a title. The Western Conference is too stacked this season to be content standing pat once flaws are exposed.