The Houston Rockets would like to add center depth behind second-year starter Alperen Sengun, but they have a clear incentive to avoid longer-term salaries that could clog their salary cap flexibility in 2023.
According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the Rockets are currently exploring big-man additions for 2022-23 via a two-way contract (for one season).
Iko names Moses Brown and Freddie Gillespie as potential candidates, along with the possibility of re-signing Bruno Fernando or calling up Mfiondu Kabengele from Houston’s G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers.
There is no clear timetable for when that position will be filled.
Internally, the Rockets do have veteran big man Boban Marjanović and second-year forward Usman Garuba as candidates to play beyond Sengun.
But neither is proven as a consistent NBA rotation player, so it makes sense for Houston general manager Rafael Stone to explore outside additions, as well, particularly if they are cap friendly.
Time will tell whether any of these potential deals materialize.
Another plausible candidate could be 6-foot-9 big man Aric Holman, who continues to play well for Houston’s 2022 summer league team.
The Houston Rockets look to continue the development of their young core as Stone’s plan begins to take shape with their latest draft pieces.