The Houston Rockets are interested in making a trade at the deadline this season and names like Corey Brewer, Gerald Green, Brandon Jennings, Greg Monroe, Wilson Chandler, Andrea Bargnani and Lance Stephenson could be potential targets to help Dwight Howard and James Harden, as Houston has been one of the best teams in the west this season and they feel they can make a championship run.
Last year the team was upset in the playoffs by the Portland Trail Blazers and now they are looking to at least get into the second round if they make the postseason this year. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Rockets are still interested in making a deal for Corey Brewer, which comes after the team was looking at a deal earlier in the season. Marc Stein wrote earlier that the Rockets and Cavaliers were both targeting Brewer with the Wolves, but that talk has subsided in Cleveland.
The Timberwolves at first were interested in moving Brewer, but now that the team has dealt with some injuries, they feel that they need to hang onto him at least for now. The Wolves will hold out to try and get a decent player or pick for Brewer, but that could just force the Rockets and the Cavaliers to look elsewhere. PBT writes that the Cavaliers have moved away from Brewer and that they are more likely to target a big man like Timofey Mozgov to help solidify the front court defense.
Shawn Marion has been starting for the Cavaliers and they like the setup they have right now on the wing, so they will sit tight for the time being on Brewer. The Cavs likely would have to deal Dion Waiters if they make a significant move. PBT reports that Wesley Matthews could be an option for the Cavaliers over Brewer and other moves. The news about Brewer says that the deal for the Wolves and Rockets is not close to happening and that Brewer could remain with Minnesota until the trade deadline gets closer. The Rockets have played very well this season and at 18-5 they are hoping to add one more piece as they push to the top of the west.
Gerald Green, Brandon Jennings, Wilson Chandler and anyone on the Knicks could also be targets for the Rockets, as they could use some depth in some spots. Jennings will be hard to move, but the Pistons are willing to trade him and that could be an interesting upgrade over Patrick Beverley for the Rockets. The Suns could look at moving Goran Dragic or Gerald Green, with Dragic expected to be a target for the Rockets if he makes it to free agency next summer.
The Rockets are second in the southwest division and they have looked strong this season despite losing Chandler Parsons to the Mavericks. The team defense has rebounded from last year and they are now averaging 95 points allowed per game, second in the league. The offense has dropped off, as the team is ranked 18th in scoring, but they have vastly improved the defense and that could make them a title contender. Brewer is an ace defender and they feel that adding him would solidify the defense on the wing with Howard handling things inside.
