At 11-38, the Houston Rockets own the worst record in the NBA. They are well on their way to securing the top spot in the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes and possessing the most ping pong balls on NBA Draft Lottery Night.
Despite that, the Rockets have emerged as a team to keep an eye on ahead of the trade deadline in less than two weeks. Houston has veteran Eric Gordon that they are shopping, but they could be surprise buyers.
According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the Rockets are one of the teams that have been in touch with the Atlanta Hawks about John Collins. While nothing has reached a serious stage, there has been communication between the teams.
The Atlanta Hawks have been shopping forward John Collins for a while — per our Shams Charania — and have been gauging interest around the league in potential packages for the 25-year-old, conversations that have included the Houston Rockets, league sources told The Athletic, which was later confirmed by team sources. The sources were granted anonymity to speak freely on the matter. There has been nothing concrete from the Rockets — merely ideas floated by the Hawks to Houston among other teams — but the interest is real.
Only 25 years old, Collins would fit the timeline that the Rockets are currently on. In the second season of a five-year, $125 million contract, Houston could view Collins as a long-term piece for their frontcourt and bring some much-needed experience to the roster.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers, John Collins, Atlanta Hawks & Houston Rockets Updates
If this is viewed as a salary dump by Atlanta, it makes sense for the Rockets as Collins would be an upgrade at the power forward position. The Rockets, however, should not be engaged in trade talks that would require them to part with significant assets.
That is why they likely aren’t serious suitors for Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers. There is interest in the former Longhorn and Texas native, but it would likely come in free agency not in a bidding war ahead of the deadline. Iko shared the update on Turner as well.
The potential of free agency mentioned above applies to another frontcourt option who could be on the market, Myles Turner. The loss of Tyrese Halliburton and his All-Star level contribution has left the 24-26 Indiana Pacers reeling, losing eight out of their last 10 games and barely holding on to a Play-In Tournament spot. Should their slide continue, it’s not inconceivable to think Indiana could look to trade Turner and fully commit to the rebuild — especially with Turner’s looming free agency on the horizon. Houston has interest in the 26-year-old center from Bedford, Texas, but would hesitate to trade for an in-demand player who would command a sizable return of assets now, especially when they could wait until free agency to pursue.
Turner is in the midst of a career season ahead of free agency, but his fit with Houston is a peculiar one. Alperen Sengun has played well in his first season as a starter, so it would be odd if the Rockets wanted to add another big man to the mix, gunking up the works.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers, John Collins, Atlanta Hawks & Houston Rockets Updates
Alas, it is likely a moot point when it comes to Turner. Surrendering the kind of assets to acquire him likely isn’t in the cards for the Rockets. If he is made available, it would not be surprising if the Pacers acquired multiple first-round picks or a combination of picks and young players. That isn’t a price Houston is in a position to pay.
