The 2025 NBA Draft is a month away, and the Houston Rockets, armed with the tenth-overall pick, have a fascinating decision to make. The Rockets already have a ton of young talent on the roster, and they struggle to find enough minutes for them. Adding another lottery pick into the mix will only complicate matters, as head coach Ime Udoka has to balance winning in the present and the future.
At the same time, there are a few areas the Rockets need to upgrade. While Houston's need to find more shooters and shot creators is obvious, one underrated need they have is center depth. Steven Adams is a free agent and Jock Landale is not trusted by the coaching staff, leaving a big hole behind Alperen Şengün in the rotation.
Jock Landale on the Chopping Block Ahead of Rockets Offseason
The Rockets could address this need in a variety of ways, including the draft, free agency, or the trade market. Regardless of the direction, Landale is firmly on the chopping block. The 29-year-old center makes $8 million for next season and is the most obvious trade chip for salary-matching purposes.
The rest of the contracts on Houston's books are for players with value who the organization believes in. Landale, on the other hand, hasn't given much since he signed the four-year, $32 million deal with the Rockets in the 2023 offseason.
The Rockets discovered the effectiveness of two-big lineups in the playoffs. Şengün and Adams wreaked havoc on the boards and inside the paint against the Warriors. The Rockets will likely prioritize bringing Adams back, but even if they can't, they need to find another quality big who can replicate some of the things Adams provides. Landale isn't that player, and the Rockets would be wise to use his salary slot to find that player.