Houston Rockets: 10 possible replacements for Christian Wood

Rockets: Players that could replace Christian Wood — 4. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

In the eyes of many, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has had an underwhelming NBA career, and especially considering his draft position. After helping to lead the Kentucky Wildcats to a national title, MKG was selected by the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) with the second pick of the 2012 NBA Draft, behind only Anthony Davis and ahead of future stars like Bradley Beal and Damian Lillard.

MKG was coming off of a season in Lexington in which he averaged 11.9 points and 7.4 rebounds, while being named a Second-Team All-American, and was viewed as a player who could change the culture in Charlotte, with his work ethic and high motor. Unfortunately for MKG, Charlotte hardly sniffed the playoffs, as they went 256-318 through his first seven seasons.

Kidd-Gilchrist was bought out in 2019-20 and joined the Dallas Mavericks, although he didn’t exactly get much playing time there. In Houston, MKG could re-unite with Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas, who was on the coaching staff during MKG’s lone season with the Mavs, and he could be thrust into a small ball center role.

MKG isn’t exactly a scoring threat, but he can contribute in that department, as evident by the 62 game stretch in which he played from 2014-16, in which he averaged 11.1 points while making 47.3 percent of his shots (and 42.9 percent of his threes, albeit on a very small sample size). MKG’s high motor and hustle would fit in well with P.J. Tucker and Jae’Sean Tate, who are all hustle, and especially on the defensive end.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist hustles back for the chase-down block!#NBAPreseason pic.twitter.com/qWUV3hR9VN

— NBA (@NBA) October 9, 2018

Although MKG has already been in the league for nine years, he’s still just 27-years-old and could contribute for a Houston Rockets team in need of more depth, not to mention that it would pair him with Rockets coach Stephen Silas, who coached MKG for six seasons in Charlotte and is very familiar with his skillset and how to utilize him best.

Next: No. 3