Rockets make big trade at the deadline — for next year

In a swap of two injured players, the Rockets got a veteran defensive center to back up or pair with their 21-year-old phenom, Alperen Şengün. In return, the Grizzlies get salary relief in the form of Victor Oladipo's expiring $9.4 contract, while shedding Adams' $12.6 million salary for next season. Memphis also collects three second-round picks from Houston.

It's an unusual trade for the deadline, which normally focuses on at least one team trying to improve itself for the playoff push, because both players haven't played at all this season. Nor are they expected to play.

Adams had season-ending surgery on his right knee, while Oladipo tore a patella tendon in his knee last year in the playoffs. Memphis likely won't play Oladipo before his contract is up, while Houston is thinking long-term with Adams.

This week, The Athletic reported that the Rockets were "exploring the center market." Coach Ime Udoka reportedly wanted to have a quality backup for when Sengun sat, and could even play alongside their starter. He may want to replicate the Robert Williams-Al Horford double-big lineup that he used to good effect when he coached the Boston Celtics.

Thursday's trade should indicate that the Rockets are no longer interested in trying to trade with Portland for Williams, who is also out for the season. It also suggests that they won't be making a push for the playoffs this year, since they used some of their assets on a center who won't play until the fall.

Sengun doesn't have much of a three-point stroke, but he's a good shooter from the mid-range, which makes Houston believe he could still play next to a non-shooting rim protector. Adams rarely shoots from outside of 10 feet, but he makes up for it with rim protection, rebounding and bone-jarring screens.

This may be the biggest move the Rockets make this month, but expect them to be aggressively hunting for stars this summer, perhaps dangling former No. 2 pick Jalen Green. You can also expect them to set some of the hardest screens in the NBA next season.