The Rockets are interested in trading the 76ers after the injury to Steven Adams

The Houston Rockets they officially ruled out center Steven Adams until the end of the 2025-26 NBA season after surgery on his left ankle. Houston Rockets center Steven Adams has undergone season-ending surgery on his left ankle, sources tell ESPN, according to a report from Shams Charania.

The injury occurred during a contest against Sion Williamson, with head coach Ime Udoka initially describing the problem as a badly sprained ankle. Udoka later added that it was likely a Grade 3 sprain and noted that he didn’t think Adams would be back anytime soon.

The loss is a significant blow to a team that is already missing Fred VanVleet due to an ACL injury. While Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant have kept the Rockets competitive in the Western Conference, the team must now look to bolster its depth behind Clint Capela to maintain its momentum.

As a result of this vacant frontcourt spot, Houston has reportedly registered interest in Philadelphia 76ers veteran Andre Drummond. The 76ers are currently in a position where they may have to take a salary cut to move under the luxury tax threshold.

While Paul George’s 25-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy has hampered the team’s performance on the field, it presents a unique financial opportunity. The 76ers received a $5.8 million tax credit for the suspension, leaving them approximately $1.2 million over the tax line.

Consequently, moving a player like Drummond, who has an expiring $5 million contract, represents the clearest path for the organization to reach its financial goals while going through a season without a key superstar.

Drummond has recently seen his role diminish in Philly, falling behind younger contributors like Adem Bona and Dominic Barlow in the rotation. Because of this change and the Rockets’ sudden need for interior size, a trade is increasingly likely before the February deadline.

With just days to go before the market closes, the synergy between Philadelphia’s financial needs and Houston’s roster demands makes this one of the most intriguing situations to watch in the league.