The Houston Rockets aren’t currently a bidder for the services of Minnesota Timberwolves forward Robert Covington, according to a report Friday from The Athletic‘s team beat writer Kelly Iko.
Iko’s report comes a day after The Athletic‘s national NBA writer, Shams Charania, had listed the Rockets as an interested trade suitor.
Iko, however, seems to have different information. He writes:
Robert Covington, for example, was a name that has been linked with Houston for some time now, and Houston has shown previous interest. But that interest has since cooled and Houston isn’t currently a bidder for his services, according to an executive with knowledge of the Rockets’ thinking.
Source: Rockets no longer interested in Timberwolves F Robert Covington, still plan to be aggressive in market before trade deadline. https://t.co/nrJCI7zzpX
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) January 17, 2020
Known best for his defense, the 6-foot-7 Covington is averaging 12.7 points (44.1% shooting, 35.5% on three-pointers) and 5.7 rebounds in 28.7 minutes per game this season. The 29-year-old is signed through the 2021-22 season at an annual average of just over $12 million.
The discrepancy between the two reports could reflect the sources of the information. Based in Houston, Iko’s article quotes Rockets GM Daryl Morey and includes information from several team players.
The Charania article, on the other hand, was written from a Minnesota perspective. With the Feb. 6 deadline nearly three weeks away, it’s quite possible that one or both reports may include posturing from that team’s front office — meaning that neither report is necessarily wrong.
Story with @JonKrawczynski: Minnesota is intensifying its pursuit of Warriors star D’Angelo Russell. Where those talks stand and more on @TheAthleticNBA: https://t.co/wE13kbw16H
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 16, 2020
It’s also possible, of course, that talks are dormant now but could be revived at a later date if the pressure of the looming deadline prompts Minnesota to lower its asking price or Houston to raise its offer. Charania reported that the Timberwolves are “expected to drive a hard bargain.”
Thursday’s article includes information on what a Covington-to-Houston trade might look like, with future draft considerations likely serving as Houston’s most lucrative trade assets for Covington or any other players around the league who become available at the deadline.
Iko reports that the Rockets still “plan to be aggressive” on the market heading up to the Thursday, Feb. 6 trade deadline, though he did not identify any other specific player targets for Morey and the Rockets.
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