Ime Udoka, Steven Adams
Currently sitting with the #4 record in the Western Conference, there have been some good things happening in Houston this year. The Rockets have posted a 28-16 mark to open the year, thriving with their new-look offense and Kevin Durant at the forefront.
They did well to put a big team together, and have grabbed offensive rebounds at a historic rate through this first half of the campaign.
One of the big stars there, Steven Adams, has looked great in his second year with the team. He suffered an ankle injury last week though, and news broke today that he would unfortunately have to miss the rest of the year.
Shams Charania reported he would have to have surgery to fix his ankle, and it will keep him off the floor the 2026-27 campaign.
Adams joins Van Vleet as players on the team that will not be suiting up again this year.
What does this mean for the Rockets?
Rockets Plans Without Steven Adams
What this now means for the Rockets, is Steven Adams is done. Clint Capela suddenly just became one of the most important players on the squad. Serving as the #3 center since coming back to team this season, he is going to be logging a bit more playing time moving forward.
Capela has averaged four points and four rebounds in his limited run this season. Since he had bene a primary starter during a long run with the Hawks, moving into a limited time opportunity certainly changes where he can contribute.
It’s no secret that Adams provided incredible value. Not only as a dominant rebounder, but as an occasional offensive hub. The offense could run through him for a short stretch. Sharing the floor with Alperen Sengun led to very valuable minutes of dominant glass-work and ball movement.
The team moved Jock Landale after last season, or he may be the one coming to the rescue. Capela is here to take the minutes that Landale did last year as the primary #3 big man. The Australian has actually been the primary starter for the short-handed Memphis Grizzlies.
Already in need of a point guard, Houston may need to find another center, as well. Capela can handle the new opportunity, but without a true #3 now, it does add a bit more necessity to be prepared.
Might the Rockets also opt to play a little smaller at times? They do have players like Dorian Finney-Smith and Jae’Sean Tate who have logged minutes at big-man positions.
Whatever they choose to do, this is a massive blow for Houston.
Players with Most to Gain Following Steven Adams Injury
With Steven Adams officially done and Clint Capela stepping in as the backup center, there are new holes for the Rockets to fill. With the trade deadline eight days away, might they try to bring a new center in? A Nick Richards from Phoenix or Zeke Nnaji from Denver could help. Robert Williams from Portland?
Perhaps they even try to move one of their wings to get Daniel Gafford from Dallas. His size would certainly add a nice element to the offense. Since Alperen Sengun is capable of spacing the floor, they could put a natural center out there next to him like they did with Adams.
Houston, as mentioned, could abandon the double-big look and decide to play an athletic wing for extended minutes next to Sengun and as the primary backup.
Ime Udoka has proven the ability to be successful with what he has. Don’t expect the Rockets to struggle without Adams. They’ll miss him come playoff time, but as far as the regular season goes, they should be just fine.