The Rockets are reportedly interested in an old Ime Udoka favorite.
It’s NBA trade season, and there’s likely to be smoke, fire and misdirection, so as always, take rumors with a grain of salt, but according to a recent report, the Rockets have been chatting with the Portland Trail Blazers about a potential deal centered around big man Robert Williams. Houston is reportedly dangling Jock Landale in return.
The Rockets and Trail Blazers recently conducted exploratory trade talks centered on Robert Williams.
Houston is openly shopping Jock Landale’s non-guaranteed multi-year contract in order to upgrade their frontcourt.
Portland has strong interest from contenders on Williams. pic.twitter.com/5WCYHt4IUH
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 21, 2025
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka is very familiar with Williams from their time spent together with the Boston Celtics, so it’s in that regard that this rumor makes sense. The Rockets are also in need of some rim protection, which Williams provides.
So far this season, Williams is averaging 6.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots per contest in 17 minutes per night of playing time. The 6’9”, 27-year-old Williams finished seventh in the Defensive Player of the Year voting back in 2022 under Udoka, when he averaged 2.2 blocks per game, and he’s never averaged less than 1.2 blocks per game in a season.
Williams is a traditional big man in that he doesn’t shoot threes and works down low. He would be a good fit for these Rockets, especially with Steven Adams not available every night and still looking a step slow following his rebound from surgery — though Adams has looked a bit better of late.
Landale has only played in 21 of Houston’s 42 games, averaging just under 10 minutes when he does play. He’s averaging 3 points and 2.7 rebounds per night for the Rockets. He’s a decent shooter when he gets opportunity, but he hasn’t been impactful enough defensively to get legit minutes under Udoka, which could make him expendable in trade scenarios along with his expiring deal.
Plus, the Rockets are very likey to only be making moves on the margins this trade season, with more shooting and rim protection their top two needs. We’ll keep an eye on this and other rumors as we head into the NBA Trade Deadline.