Rockets have Steven Adams backup plan ready if the latest rumors are true

If Steven Adams signs elsewhere, the Houston Rockets are prepared to make a run at Brook Lopez in free agency.

The Houston Rockets have built one of the most unorthodox rotations in the NBA. Devoid of reliable three-point shooting and willing to play two centers alongside one another, Houston defied the odds by winning 52 games and coming within a Game 7 of its first postseason series win since 2020.

Unfortunately, key veteran Steven Adams is headed to free agency—and the Rockets are well aware of how important it would be to replace him.

Adams, 31, should enter unrestricted free agency with a relatively intriguing array of options at his disposal. It's unclear what the market for him currently is, but depth is as important as ever before and Adams made a powerful statement during the 2025 NBA Playoffs about his value.

According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Rockets have a backup plan if Adams ultimately signs elsewhere: Brook Lopez.

"Sources say that Houston, furthermore, would once again have interest in signing [Brook] Lopez if the Rockets are unable to retain Steven Adams."

It appears as though Adams is still the priority, but Lopez would be an interesting replacement in the backup center role.

Rockets would pursue Brook Lopez if Steven Adams signs elsewhere

Adams played just 13.7 minutes per game during the regular season, but saw 22.1 per contest during the playoffs. He played at least 25 minutes in three of the Rockets' final four postseason games. As such, his importance has become impossible to deny.

Unfortunately, that may also translate to a competitive market for a proven veteran who continues to rank among the best rebounders in the NBA.

Lopez is by no means a carbon copy of Adams, as their respective strengths and weaknesses might as well be polar opposites. While Adams is an interior powerhouse who dominates the glass but struggles as a shooter, Lopez is an underwhelming rebounder who thrives as a sharpshooter and shot-blocker.

Despite their differences, Lopez has the attributes to help transform the Rockets' offense and assist in anchoring their defensive efforts.

Lopez, 37, finished the 2024-25 regular season averaging 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 offensive boards, 1.8 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.7 three-point field goals made on .509/.373/.826 shooting. He's long helped to set the standard for 3-and-D bigs, and could thus be an ideal backup to Alperen Sengun.

It's also worth noting that Lopez has spent the past seven seasons playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, whom the Rockets are expected to have interest in this summer.

Even if Antetokounmpo isn't in the cards, Lopez makes sense in a backup role. He has the floor-spacing ability that the Rockets need, as well as the defensive acumen to fit the culture that Ime Udoka has created.

Losing Adams would be difficult to stomach, but if that transpires, then Rockets fans can breathe easy knowing the franchise already has a backup plan.