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3 Centers Rockets Should Trade for After Clint Capela Deal

By Alexander Wildes

Houston Rockets trade rumors need to include Phoenix Suns center Aron Baynes
Houston Rockets trade rumors need to include Phoenix Suns center Aron Baynes / Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

On Wednesday, the Houston Rockets traded center Clint Capela to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a deal to net 3-and-D man Robert Covington from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Now, the Rockets find themselves severely undersized against virtually every team in the league.

Come playoff time, the team will have trouble against most opponents if they don't have the bulk to compete for rebounds or stop inside scorers. With that in mind, these three centers should be on the Rockets' radar at the deadline.

3. Jonas Valanciunas

Jonas Valanciunas has not averaged under 8.6 rebounds per game since 2012-2013.
Jonas Valanciunas has not averaged under 8.6 rebounds per game since 2012-2013. / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Jonas Valanciunas is a consistent double-double threat, averaging 12.8 points and nine rebounds per game ever since his second year in the NBA. While not known as a floor spacer, he has slowly added a jumper to his repertoire, stepping out and shooting more and more threes over time. Utimately, Valanciunas' 6-foot-11, 265-pound body could prove useful come postseason when the situation demands it.

2. Aron Baynes

Aron Baynes' career year has made him a trade target for many teams around the league.
Aron Baynes' career year has made him a trade target for many teams around the league. / Elsa/Getty Images

Aron Baynes is having the best year of his career, putting up career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and three-pointers in just 22.9 minutes per game. His presence on the defensive end combined with his shooting touch and hard screens are part of the reason the Suns are exponentially better than last year. His presence would be felt anywhere, but his outside shooting would be especially valuable to a Houston team that can't expect long-distance production out of Russell Westbrook.

1. Steven Adams

Steven Adams is part of the reason the Thunder are much better than expected.
Steven Adams is part of the reason the Thunder are much better than expected. / Matteo Marchi/Getty Images

Maybe the most underrated big in the game for a while now, Steven Adams has been doing the dirty work for the Thunder for almost seven full years. In only 26.7 minutes per game, Adams manages to put up 10.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. His size, defensive ability and great pick-and-roll game in concert with point guards would be ideal for the Rockets -- not to mention that he has an incredibly close relationship with Westbrook, his teammate for six years in OKC.