Houston Rockets: 3 trades that send Andre Drummond to Houston

The Houston Rockets are in need of a serious shake-up. After losing five straight games, three of which were blowouts, it is clear that the current roster doesn’t have enough to make it to the postseason.

The catalyst for the Rockets’ plunge down the standings was Christian Wood’s ankle injury and highlights their total lack of depth in the frontcourt. However, even with a healthy Wood, the Rockets will need more to make a late charge back into the playoff picture.

Why the Rockets should be interested in Andre Drummond

Per ESPN and Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cleveland Cavaliers have reportedly begun the process of shopping Andre Drummond and Houston would be a perfect landing spot for the league’s finest rebounder. The Rockets over the past half-decade have consistently punted on winning the rebounding battle and it has cost them dearly.

This season remains no different and the team currently ranks 19th in defensive rebounding rate and 27th in offensive rebounding rate. Andre Drummond would instantly come in and make one of the Rockets’ greatest weaknesses an area of strength.

The Rockets have been shooting the ball like they’re trying to build an all brick highway from Houston to Timbuktu. Having Drummond in there to capitalize on all the “off the backboard passes” could go a long way in reinvigorating the Rockets’ putrid offense.

Not to sell Drummond short, he isn’t just a one-trick pony only capable of gobbling up boards. He is a staunch rim protector and when utilized as a roll-man can be an effective scorer.

His scoring efficiency has dipped this season but a large reason is that he shares the court with two young guards who are still developing their passing skills. In Houston, with John Wall feeding him the ball, he’d easily get back to where he was in years past as a plus 50-percent shooter.

Drummond is on an expiring deal that is set to pay him $28.7 million which would make a deal complicated and necessitate a third team, but the Rockets have a chance to make the playoffs and shouldn’t waste it. The Cavaliers won’t be expecting a large return for him, so outside of salary, the Rockets won’t have to give up much.

Trading for a player on an expiring deal is a risk, especially when you’re on the outside of the playoff picture, but the Rockets are a player away from being a serious threat to make it. These are three trades the Rockets could make to land Andre Drummond and fortify their playoff push.

Next: Trade #3