BELL FOR CABOCLO
The Memphis Grizzlies acquired center/forward Jordan Bell and a second-round draft pick in 2023 from the Houston Rockets for forward Bruno Caboclo and a second-round draft pick in 2023.
What does it give the Memphis Grizzlies
Adding Bell in this trade, plus James Johnson in the Andre Iguodala deal earlier, provides Memphis with some big-man depth (something they lacked). Rookie Brandon Clarke was their only legitimate big coming off the bench this season, so now the Grizzlies have some options. Bell can play center or power forward, so he is a decent bet to enter the rotation for Memphis this season. Since Caboclo is out indefinitely (knee), this deal helps the Grizz.
What does it give the Houston Rockets
It seems Houston has a phobia for centers (because they keep trading them away). After moving Clint Capela and Nene to Atlanta earlier, they now ship out Bell (who came over from Minnesota as part of the Capela deal) for Caboclo. The latter is more of a forward 'tweener, so he fits in better with the Rockets' small-ball mentality. Is this really the same franchise that housed Hakeem Olajuwon and Yao Ming once upon a time?
Fantasy impact
Neither Bell nor Caboclo should be picked up at this time. In Bell's case, it is because of a possible numbers game in Memphis. As for Caboclo, he needs to first get healthy before becoming a potential fantasy sleeper in Houston.
