The Houston Rockets face a challenging decision as they must reduce their roster to 15 players before Monday’s league-mandated cutdown date, with a total of 16 players showing strong preseason performances. Recent NBA injury news sparks trade opportunity for Rockets however, the task became somewhat simpler due to unfortunate injury news regarding Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams, who is sidelined for the season due to a knee injury. This leaves the Grizzlies with a significant gap at the center position, necessitating an immediate replacement.
Recent NBA Injury News Sparks Trade Opportunity for Rockets
This is where Jeremiah Robinson-Earl comes into play, whom the Rockets acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder in a recent trade that concluded the Kevin Porter Jr. experiment in Houston. While Robinson-Earl may not be an exact substitute for Adams, he can provide value to the Grizzlies for the relatively modest price of a second-round draft pick.
Robinson-Earl was considered a potential first-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and was a steal for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round. Standing at 6-foot-8, JRE possesses the versatility to function as a small-ball center or power forward, which is especially valuable for the Grizzlies, who are currently missing Brandon Clarke and Adams.
Additionally, JRE offers floor spacing with his 3-point shooting ability, making 35.2 percent of his attempts in his rookie season. Although his second-year performance dipped to 33.3 percent, this was somewhat skewed by an injury. He had shot 38 percent from beyond the arc before his injury, followed by 22.8 percent in the 17 games after his return.
Robinson-Earl’s ability to provide shooting could significantly benefit the Grizzlies, who ranked 23rd in 3-point shooting percentage in the 2022-23 season.
Furthermore, JRE is a versatile defender due to his size and athleticism, which is a major asset. He possesses a high defensive IQ that compensates for his lack of size on the defensive end.
Given Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins’ strong focus on defense, as reflected in the team’s high defensive efficiency rankings over the last four seasons, the addition of JRE’s defensive capabilities could be valuable:
- 2020-21: 6th in defensive rating
- 2021-22: 4th in defensive rating
- 2022-23: 2nd in defensive rating
One of Adams’ significant contributions to Memphis is his rebounding prowess, averaging 10.6 rebounds per game and 4.8 offensive rebounds during his time with the Grizzlies. JRE can offer a similar level of production, with averages of 9.1 rebounds and 2.5 offensive boards per 36 minutes in his rookie season, followed by 8 rebounds and 3.1 offensive boards last season.
In light of these factors, it would be wise for the Grizzlies to contact Rockets GM Rafael Stone and finalize a trade for Robinson-Earl.
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