Rockets Reportedly Could Be Potential Trade Destination for Wilson Chandler

The Houston Rockets are reportedly among the teams interested in trading for Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline.  

Chris Haynes of ESPN.com reported Houston was a team to "keep an eye on."

Chandler, 29, is averaging 15.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game this season in Denver. He is under contract through the 2018-19 season on a team-friendly deal, so he is seen as an attractive trade chip for wing-needy teams.

Because of his contract, the Nuggets won't be under any real pressure to move Chandler now. It's possible they'll hold him past Thursday's deadline and move him in the offseason. Trade speculation has followed Chandler around for years, and Denver has chosen to hold onto him with each passing deadline.

“It’s a tough situation. Our job is to play through rumors, and through whatever the situation is that may be tough,” Chandler said in an interview with the Denver Post's Chris Dempsey earlier this month. “So I’m focused on the task at hand, and whatever happens, happens.”

Chandler, who is playing 30.9 minutes per game, has nonetheless dealt with inconsistencies regarding his role. Nuggets coach Mike Malone has experimented with him in and out of the starting lineup, and it's been a tough split with Danilo Gallinari also expecting major playing time.

“It’s not necessarily about starting,” Chandler told Dempsey. “It’s just about more being consistent. If it’s 20 minutes, it’s 20 minutes and that’s cool. If it’s 35 minutes, if it’s 30 minutes; if it’s six shots, if it’s 12 shots. If it’s this group, if it’s that group.”

The Rockets are one of the NBA's biggest surprises, sitting at 40-18 with James Harden as a potential MVP candidate. Trevor Ariza is currently their starting small forward, and Chandler represents an upgrade in nearly every category from Ariza. The difference between the two players isn't a vast chasm, but marginal differences can make all the difference during the postseason.

With Denver having unloaded a first-round pick to acquire Mason Plumlee from the Portland Trail Blazers, don't be surprised if they demand one in return for Chandler.