With a record at the bottom of the Western Conference, the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets clearly aren’t traditional buyers as the NBA’s Feb. 10 trade deadline for the 2021-22 season approaches.
They aren’t desperate sellers, either.
Nearly all of the marquee veterans they have under contract are on the books for 2022-23, as well. Thus, even though Houston clearly isn’t making a playoff push this season, it’s not as if it has to make a move or risk losing those players for no compensation.
General manager Rafael Stone could explore the offseason trade market with those players, or he could keep many of those veterans around in an effort to help bolster the development of Houston’s young core (i.e. Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Kevin Porter Jr. and others) — and perhaps bring some extra wins in the 2022-23 campaign.
Moreover, an aggressive move to add a player (such as a franchise centerpiece) can’t be ruled out, either. Houston isn’t likely to add a big-name veteran of significant age, given its record, but expect Stone to explore opportunities to add younger difference-makers who could grow with the existing core in the years ahead.
This continually updated post will offer a one-stop shop for the latest trade rumors and tidbits surrounding many players on the current roster, as well as any reported interest by Stone in players elsewhere.
(Last updated: Thursday, Feb. 10)
Rafael Stone, Stephen Silas
As trade deadline approaches, Stephen Silas keeping Rockets focused on court (Feb. 8)
As trade deadline nears, Rockets GM Rafael Stone values transparency with players (Feb. 1)
Rafael Stone: Rockets using very different trade deadline approach in 2022 (Jan. 31)
In potential trades, Rockets focused on draft picks in 2023 and beyond (Jan. 27)
Rockets looking for franchise centerpiece player, could be active at trade deadline (Jan. 19)
Rafael Stone: One year after trading James Harden, Rockets committed to new path (Jan. 13)
Eric Gordon
Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Utah reportedly showing interest in Eric Gordon trade with Rockets (Feb. 9)
As NBA trade deadline nears, Eric Gordon dealing with plantar fasciitis (Feb. 7)
Report: Rockets reluctant to take back significant salary in Eric Gordon trade (Feb. 6)
New Orleans, Phoenix seen as trade suitors for Houston’s Eric Gordon (Feb. 2)
Rockets reportedly confident in Eric Gordon landing first-round draft pick (Jan. 27)
Rockets less likely to trade Eric Gordon, Christian Wood by deadline (Jan. 24)
Why JJ Redick sees Houston’s Eric Gordon as top NBA trade deadline target (Jan. 23)
Eric Gordon not worried as Rockets approach NBA trade deadline (Jan. 18)
Rockets eye first-round draft pick in trade for surging Eric Gordon (Jan. 17)
Rockets trade rumors: John Wall buyout unlikely, Cavs interested in Eric Gordon (Jan. 13)
Playoff teams monitoring Rockets’ Eric Gordon, Daniel Theis on trade market (Jan. 13)
Analysis of Eric Gordon, Christian Wood trade proposals by ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Jan. 11)
Rockets not looking to dump Eric Gordon at trade deadline (Jan. 7)
Knicks among teams interested in trade for Rockets guard Eric Gordon (Dec. 17)
Rockets patient with potential Eric Gordon trade, value his influence (Dec. 14)
Rockets coach Stephen Silas sees Eric Gordon among elite NBA defenders (Dec. 10)
John Wall
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
As deadline nears, NBA Twitter reacts to Russell Westbrook-John Wall trade chatter (Feb. 10)
Kevin O’Connor proposes Rockets, Clippers trade for John Wall (Feb. 1)
John Wall ‘likes’ tweet suggesting trade to Lakers for Russell Westbrook (Jan. 28)
Rockets demanding first-round draft pick to send John Wall to Lakers (Jan. 24)
Rockets trade rumors: Miami monitoring Christian Wood; Clippers interested in John Wall (Jan. 24)
Rockets open to trading John Wall for Russell Westbrook, draft compensation (Jan. 24)
Rockets trade rumors: John Wall buyout unlikely, Cavs interested in Eric Gordon (Jan. 13)
John Wall still unlikely to be traded or bought out by Rockets (Jan. 10)
Could the Rockets execute another John Wall, Russell Westbrook trade? (Dec. 27)
Bleacher Report proposes John Wall, Eric Gordon, Danuel House Jr. trades (Dec. 1)
John Wall still reluctant to accept smaller role with Rockets (Nov. 28)
Christian Wood
AP Photo/Michael Wyke
Entering trade deadline week, Christian Wood tells Rockets he wants to stay (Feb. 5)
Miami’s Duncan Robinson not nearly enough for Rockets to trade Christian Wood (Jan. 27)
Rockets coach Stephen Silas not comfortable with Christian Wood, Alperen Sengun lineups (Jan. 25)
Rockets trade rumors: Miami monitoring Christian Wood; Clippers interested in John Wall (Jan. 24)
Rockets less likely to trade Eric Gordon, Christian Wood by deadline (Jan. 24)
Christian Wood leading Rockets to more wins with vocal presence, better efficiency (Jan. 17)
Analysis of Eric Gordon, Christian Wood trade proposals by ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Jan. 11)
Christian Wood apologizes to Rockets, moves past suspension incident (Jan. 5)
Rockets willing to hear offers, but not looking to trade Christian Wood (Dec. 10)
Report: Rockets bigs Christian Wood, Daniel Theis to receive trade interest (Nov. 29)
Jae’Sean Tate
Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Rockets view Jae’Sean Tate ‘as a keeper’ moving forward (Jan. 17)
Daniel Theis
Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Celtics, Hornets, Bucks, Raptors interested in trade for Rockets’ Daniel Theis (Jan. 27)
Rockets veterans Daniel Theis, David Nwaba, DJ Augustin reportedly drawing trade interest (Jan. 24)
Playoff teams monitoring Rockets’ Eric Gordon, Daniel Theis on trade market (Jan. 13)
Houston’s Daniel Theis is well liked by other NBA teams (Dec. 2)
Rockets bigs Christian Wood, Daniel Theis to receive trade interest (Nov. 29)
David Nwaba
Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Rockets veterans Daniel Theis, David Nwaba, DJ Augustin reportedly drawing trade interest (Jan. 24)
David Nwaba, Armoni Brooks join Rockets’ list of trade eligible players (Jan. 15)
Led by David Nwaba, Rockets’ reserves excel late to stun Hawks (Dec. 14)
DJ Augustin
Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Report: Rockets veteran DJ Augustin viewed as likely buyout candidate (Feb. 8)
Rockets veterans Daniel Theis, David Nwaba, DJ Augustin reportedly drawing trade interest (Jan. 24)
Reaction: Eric Gordon, DJ Augustin lead Rockets’ stunning comeback in Atlanta (Dec. 13)
