Rockets flip Jordan Bell to Memphis for Bruno Caboclo

The Houston Rockets have made a deal, but it’s not exactly what we thought was going down. Newly acquired Jordan Bell, who came over with Robert Covington in exchange for Clint Capela, was sent to the Memphis Grizzlies for another former Rocket, Bruno Caboclo. The teams also exchanged second-round picks.

Caboclo, just like Covington, was with the franchise once before, signing an Exhibit 10 deal with the Rockets in the 2018 offseason and was waived in October before the season started.

He’s long been thought of someone with a ton of potential, with his size and length earning him the nickname “The Brazilian Kevin Durant,” but he’s never quite lived up to expectations so far.

Still just 24-years-old, his best season came last year with the Grizz, in which he played in 34 games, starting 19, and he averaged 8.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1 block per game. He’s played in 22 games so far this season, averaging just 8.7 minutes per contest.

But he’s coming to the Rockets already with a knee injury, and they’re apparently still on the hunt for more, according to Jonathan Feigen.

They’ve reportedly been after both Tristan Thompson and Christian Wood to no avail so far, but we still have another hour to go. Stay tuned.