NBA Trade Rumors: 8 Centers the Rockets Should Covet

There's no doubt that the Houston Rockets are a very young and talented team. With a roster that features Kyle Lowry, Kevin Martin, Luis Scola; Courtney Lee, Patrick Patterson, rookie Marcus Morris; Chandler Parsons, Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill, the Rockets should be a lock to make the playoffs.

There's also key contributors such as Goran Dragic, the seldom-used Jonny Flynn, Terrence Williams and Samuel Dalembert.

Needless to say, the Rockets have a good team on paper. However, paper does not translate into wins, playoff appearances and championships.

The Rockets currently sit at 22-20, eighth place in the Western Conference. They are just three games out of fourth place, yet three games ahead of the 13th-placed Golden State Warriors in the conference. The Rockets need to be consistent for the rest of the season if they want to make the postseason, and there will be some players that need to step up.

Perhaps the weakest link on the team's roster is the center position. Dalembert has started 34 games this season, averaging 8.1 points and 7.6 rebounds. Those are decent numbers, but the Rockets need more output.

Dalembert's backup, Jordan Hill, has played fairly well with the minutes he's been given. The former Arizona star currently plays a shade less than fifteen minutes per game, averaging 4.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in the process.

The franchise needs to add a legitimate center at the trade deadline to give them that scary frontcourt attack that already features Luis Scola. Luckily for them, there are many candidates that can come in and immediately contribute better than Dalembert.

Chris Kaman

The Trade: Houston trades C Samuel Dalembert, PG Jonny Flynn and a future first-round selection to New Orleans for C Chris Kaman

Synopsis: Kaman has had a strange year. He was dealt from the Clippers to the Hornets, when he apparently wasn't even told he was involved in trade talks or told that he had been dealt. He then goes to New Orleans, only to be practically benched as soon as he gets there and then placed on the trading block almost immediately after his arrival and is seemingly taken off the block.

Then, all of a sudden, he's placed back on the trading block, only to be taken off yet again. It's been an odd ride for Kaman, but it could be beneficial.

Since Kaman was placed back in the starting lineup, he's been a solid addition to the Hornets. He's arguably been the team's best player over that span, as he has scored in double-digits in every game he's participated in since Feb. 6. Kaman has also posted 10 double-doubles since then, as well.

He's been a great player that can help the Rockets drastically, as the Michigan native is just two years removed from his best season ever.

In exchange for Kaman's services, the Hornets would acquire Samuel Dalembert, a player the Rockets signed prior to the start of the 2011-12 campaign. Despite being 30 years old, he's a solid player that is a double-double threat on a night-to-night basis.

They'd also acquire Jonny Flynn in the deal, a former lottery selection that hasn't lived up to expectations. After being dealt out of Minnesota, Flynn became a member of the Rockets and has logged in a total of 105 minutes over nine games. The former Syracuse star definitely needs a change of scenery and New Orleans could be that place.

Of course, the Hornets would also acquire a future first-round selection, along with the two players.

If the Rockets were to acquire Kaman, they could keep their eighth slot in the West. A Kaman-Scola frontcourt combination would be a solid duo in the league's toughest conference.

Andrew Bogut

The Trade: Houston trades SG Kevin Martin, C Samuel Dalembert and SF Terrence Williams to Milwaukee for SG/SF Stephen Jackson, C Andrew Bogut and a future second-round selection

Synopsis: Over the last few days, Andrew Bogut's name has come up on the trading block multiple times. Teams such as Rockets, Warriors and others have put their names in the hat, in hopes of acquiring the former first-overall selection.

According to HOOPSWORLD,

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"The Rockets also had been pursuing (Andrew) Bogut in what would’ve been a less complicated, two-deal deal with Milwaukee with many scenarios discussed. But a person involved in the discussions told CBSSports.com early Tuesday that Houston has backed away from the Bogut talks to pursue another deal."

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But as we've learned in the past, just because somebody or some team says something like that doesn't mean that there is absolutely no chance of it happening. Anything can happen.

The Rockets would also take on Stephen Jackson's $9.256 million salary, along with Bogut. Jackson has recently clashed with head coach Scott Skiles, and a trade out of Milwaukee seems imminent.

In exchange for the two players, the Bucks would acquire Kevin Martin, who is a great shooter but doesn't really do anything else with the ball. He's a decent player, but reports have surfaced that Martin will not be traded. But, anything can happen.

After dealing their starting center, the Bucks would have to get another center in the process. And that player would be Dalembert, who is a solid player but not better than Bogut. Milwaukee would also acquire the seldom-used Terrence Williams, who has received limited minutes in Houston. He definitely needs a change of scenery and Milwaukee could be that place, although they are stacked at shooting guard and small forward.

Al Jefferson

The Trade: Houston trades SG Kevin Martin and C Jordan Hill to Utah for C Al Jefferson

Synopsis: Yes, I do realize that there have been zero trade rumors involving Jefferson, but this slide is more for kicks and giggles than anything else.

The Jazz, a team poised for future success, has one of the best frontcourts in the NBA with Jefferson, Paul Millsap, youngster Derrick Favors and rookie Enes Kanter. It's a solid frontcourt, but with other needs on the roster, somebody should become expendable.

Millsap and Kanter seem to be "untradeable," and Favors has great potential. That leaves Jefferson, the elder statesman of the four, to be dealt elsewhere.

Jefferson is having a great campaign this year, as the Mississippi native is currently averaging 19.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per contest. Jefferson's play has helped the Jazz to a 20-21 mark, just 1.5 games out of eighth place in the conference.

In exchange for Jefferson, the Rockets would send Kevin Martin to Utah.

The Jazz are a little thin in the backcourt with Devin Harris listed at point guard. Rookie Alec Burks and veteran Raja Bell, best known for his defensive prowess, are the only shooting guards on the roster. Burks has struggled during his rookie season while Bell is just an average player that plays decent defense.

So needless to say, the Jazz need a shooting guard—at least until Burks fully develops.

The Jazz would also acquire Jordan Hill, a former lottery selection that hasn't become that great player. But luckily for him, he has great potential and has plenty of time to develop. The Jazz can vastly help Hill if he were to land in Salt Lake.

Emeka Okafor

The Trade: Houston trades C Samuel Dalembert, SF Terrence Williams and a future second-round selection to New Orleans for C Emeka Okafor and a future first-round selection

Synopsis: Yes, this is the second deal involving the New Orleans Hornets. As seen in the first slide, I worked out a scenario using ESPN's NBA Trade Machine that would have sent former All-Star Chris Kaman to Houston.

Now, in this scenario, Emeka Okafor would be dealt to Houston.

According to recent reports, the Hornets have actively been shopping Okafor to certain teams, but no one seems to want to take a shot on him. The former UConn star is owed $28 million through the 2013-14 season and the Hornets are even trying to offer one of their two first-round picks just to unload him.

Sam Amico of Fox Sports reported a couple of days ago,

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"Cavs will stay in touch w/Hornets however. Hornets said to still be entertaining offers for either of 2 first rounders to dump Okafor deal."

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In this scenario, the Rockets would take on Okafor's salary, even though they are already paying Kevin Martin $11.5 million this season and Luis Scola $8.6 million.

In exchange for Okafor, Dalembert would be sent to New Orleans. Dalembert would provide a great backup to Chris Kaman, who is quietly having a solid season in the Mardi Gras City. Terrence Williams would also be sent to New Orleans, but it remains unclear as to how much playing time he would receive since the team already has the injured Eric Gordon, Marco Belinelli, Xavier Henry, Trevor Ariza and Al-Farouq Aminu.

But anything can happen in the NBA.

Javale McGee

The Trade: Houston trades C Samuel Dalembert, a future first-round selection and cash considerations to Washington for C Javale McGee and PF Andray Blatche

Synopsis: Andray Blatche's name has been one of the most talked about when it comes to the trading block. Apparently, the Wizards have been shopping Blatche around to the other 29 teams, but no one wants to take a shot on him. That must be torture for Blatche, knowing that no team wants you, not even the team that you currently play for.

But oh well, there's nothing he can do about it now. But I still believe Blatche will be dealt at the deadline and in this scenario, it would be to Houston.

Unfortunately for Blatche, if this scenario were to play out, he would go from a starter on a really bad team to a backup on a somewhat good team. Luis Scola is undoubtedly the team's starter and Blatche would be forced to back him up.

To acquire more frontcourt help, the Rockets would also receive Javale McGee, who has had an up-and-down career in Washington. At one point, he's well-loved by the fans and the coaching staff and the next minute, fans want him off the team and he's arguing with the coaching staff while making bone-head plays in the process.

As of right now, the Wizards don't seem to want him. So a change of scenery would be needed for McGee. However, he does have great potential and is one of the best shot-blockers in the NBA. He's a freakishly-good athlete that could do amazing things on the court.

In exchange for the two players, the Rockets would send Dalembert to Washington. However, it'd suck for the Haitian native, as he'd land with one of the worst teams in the NBA. But if he wanted to, he could always leave at the end of the season.

Andrea Bargnani

The Trade: Houston trades SG Kevin Martin and C Samuel Dalembert to Toronto for C Andrea Bargnani and SG Leandro Barbosa

Synopsis: With some of my recent articles, I've got a decent amount of flack from Toronto Raptors fans, and I'm sure that same will apply here as well.

Raptors fans believe Bargnani is a great center. Unfortunately, I don't believe that's the case. Bargnani is a decent player, yes, but he's a one-dimensional player. He scores and that's about it. The former first overall selection averaged 21.4 points per game last season, but was only able to nab 5.2 rebounds per contest. Those are not great numbers for a 7'0" center.

This season, Bargnani has increased his numbers slightly, as he is currently totaling 21.7 points per game and bringing down 6.3 rebounds. But I firmly believe a player with his height should be a double-double threat every season. But I'll stop my rant.

The Rockets would acquire Bargnani in the deal, which would immediately form a solid combination with Luis Scola. Scola can score when needed and is a quality rebounder, while the Italian can score at all times, but is a decent rebounder. Their games reflect each other fairly well.

However, Bargnani has played in just 15 games this season, as he has been dealing with an injury.

Leandro Barbosa would also be dealt to Houston, who has been subject to trade rumors recently. Barbosa, a former Sixth Man of the Year Award winner, is a solid player that could help the Rockets if they were to give up Martin.

As stated above, Martin and Samuel Dalembert would be sent to Toronto. Martin would give the Raptors that electric scorer, even though they already have a prospect at the same position in DeMar DeRozan.

Dalembert is not the same player Bargnani is, but he is a much better rebounder, a stat the Raptors need help in—the Raptors are currently tied for 21st in that category.

Kendrick Perkins

The Trade: Houston trades C Samuel Dalembert and SF Terrence Williams to Oklahoma City for C Kendrick Perkins

Synopsis: I deem this scenario one of the most unlikely, but anything can happen.

There is no doubt that Perkins' stats have declined over the last few seasons, but that is mainly due to the fact that the Thunder are loaded with offensive threats in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. With that, the Thunder really haven't needed Perkins to do much on the offensive side of the ball.

Perkins is averaging just 4.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest this season, which is one of the worst campaigns of his career.

But he is still a solid center that would rank in the top half of the league. He's a big defensive presence that can help the Rockets on that side of the ball. Perkins' main knock is that he constantly lets his emotions get the best of him, but he can work on that if need be.

In exchange for Perkins, the Rockets would give Dalembert, who coincidentally has better stats than the former Celtic. But regardless, I'd rather have Perkins than the Haitian native.

Houston would also give up the seldom-used Terrence Williams in the deal, who could fit in nicely with the Thunder. Oklahoma City is set at shooting guard with Thabo Sefolosha, Daequan Cook and Harden. But at small forward, Kevin Durant seems to be all that they have. Williams could come in and help alleviate pressure off of Durant when he is on the bench.

In my opinion, the deal works out for both sides, even though it appears to be one of the most unlikely scenarios.

Greg Monroe

The Trade: Houston trades SG Kevin Martin, C Jordan Hill and a future second-round selection to Detroit for C/PF Greg Monroe and SG Ben Gordon

Synopsis: Yes, I do realize there is about a two percent chance of happening. Yes, I do realize that Greg Monroe seems to be one of the most untouchable players on the Pistons' roster. But regardless, it could still happen, even though the Pistons would much rather keep one of the best up-and-coming centers in the NBA.

Monroe definitely has the potential of becoming one of the best centers in the NBA. He's a great all-around player that can score, rebound and distribute the basketball.

He could be a great player someday, as he has yet to fully develop.

The Pistons would also ship Ben Gordon to Houston, a player that has seemingly fallen out of favor in Detroit. It appears that the fans have been wanting him out of their city for a while now, especially since he is the team's highest-paid player, but has not played like it.

In exchange for the two players, the Rockets would ship Kevin Martin to Detroit, a player that could revitalize the franchise. Martin is an electric scorer that can go off at any time. He'd definitely be a key component in the rebuilding of the Pistons' franchise, a franchise that is just a couple of years removed from playoff contention.

The Pistons would also receive Jordan Hill in the deal, a player that can do great things with the basketball, if given the opportunity. Hill has copious amounts of potential, but he needs to be in the right system for that to happen. The Pistons could be that team.

Other Lesser-Known Options

There are other options that the Rockets could attempt to acquire. They would not be stars like some of the players listed in this slideshow, but they could be solid contributors that can help the Rockets make a postseason appearance.

Here are some players that the Rockets could attempt to acquire at the deadline:

Chuck Hayes, Sacramento: The one-time Rocket, although vastly under-sized, is a great energy player that proved that he belonged in the NBA. He could be a great option for Houston, as he has rarely seen the court in Sacramento.

Robin Lopez, Phoenix: The "other Lopez brother" has been somewhat of a disappointment since coming to the NBA, but he has shown flashes of greatness. He has yet to receive a consistent amount of playing time since coming to the NBA, as he currently has to share time with Marcin Gortat, rookie Markieff Morris, Hakim Warrick and Channing Frye.

Brendan Haywood, Dallas: Haywood has had an off-season this year with the Mavericks, as he is currently averaging 5.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest. With the emergence of Ian Mahinmi, Haywood has seen his minutes slightly decrease, as he was expected to carry a humongous load when Tyson Chandler left for the Knicks. Regardless, he's still a quality player that could help the Rockets.