On January 22, Beijing time, according to ClutchPoints reporter Brett Siegel, the Rockets expressed a strong interest in Trail Blazers center Robert Williams. The Lakers, Warriors, Clippers and other teams have also been trying to bring him in.

"Sources say the Rockets want to use Landale, Tate and multiple second-round picks as leverage in exchange for a talented player like Lowe," Siegel wrote. But because the Trail Blazers are rebuilding during the rebuild, the Lowe's trade package with a second-round pick as a bargaining chip is not necessarily their first choice. After all, Lowe was the player the Trail Blazers especially wanted in the Celtics trade for Holiday in the deal. According to sources, the Rockets may be forced to give up a talented young player like Whitmore in exchange for Lowe. Whitmore tried out with the Trail Blazers and is averaging 10.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per game so far this season.

The 27-year-old Lowe is 2.06 meters tall and was drafted by the Celtics with the 27th pick in the first round in 2018 and was named to the 2021-22 Defensive Team of the Season. Udoka and Lowe previously worked together for the Celtics during the 2021-22 season.

League sources told ClutchPoints that Lowe has always enjoyed Udoka's coaching style and that he is happy to reunite with the former Celtics coach. The feeling is mutual, as Udoka has always held Williams in high regard.

As one coalition source said, this relationship between Udoka and Lowe is not surprising. Lowe was delighted to speak to his former coach, who helped him discover his potential. In Udoka's only season in charge of the Celtics, Williams averaged 10.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game, was named to the All-Defensive Second Team and finished seventh in the Defensive Player of the Year award.

The Rockets, who currently sit second in the West with a 28-14 record, have been looking to improve the frontcourt players around Shin Kyung. Ahead of the NBA trade deadline, the Rockets have been in discussions with the Trail Blazers about Lowe, sources said. However, the two teams have spoken several times throughout the season. The discussion around Lowe never grew to the point where a deal was imminent. Still, the Rockets are interested in bringing in the center this season.

The Lakers, Warriors, and Clippers are other teams interested in Lowe. However, Lowe's injury concerns have been a potential problem, as he has only played in 14 games this season, averaging 16.9 minutes per game, contributing 6.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks while shooting 69.2% from the field.