Report: Rockets seeking trade for big, will fill Capela void with bench

The Houston Rockets are interested in acquiring a big man via trade, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.

This makes sense, as starting center Clint Capela suffered a broken leg when he banged knees with another player during Saturday's win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Rockets expect Capela will be out for four-to-six weeks, according to The Vertical's sources, and will re-evaluate him in about a month.

Nerlens Noel, Kenneth Faried, and Omri Casspi are among the bigs who could be available on the trade market.

Wojnarowski notes the most likely scenario is that Houston won't swing a deal for a center, however, and will instead extend minutes for backups Nene and Montrezl Harrell in Capela's stead.

Nene, who signed a one-year deal with Houston in the offseason, is putting up 7.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in 16.8 minutes per outing. Second-year power forward Harrell is averaging 6.4 points and 3.3 boards in 13.4 minutes a night.

The team also recalled forward/center Chinanu Onuaku from its D-League affiliate Tuesday for added depth at the five-spot.

Undefeated in the month of December, the Rockets are riding a 10-game winning streak. They hope they can maintain their momentum without Capela, who's excelled in his first year as a regular starter after Dwight Howard left in free agency.

The third-place club will host in-state rivals the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night in its first contest this season without Capela. Coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters Nene will start, according to ESPN's Calvin Watkins, while power forward Ryan Anderson will see some time at center.