Through all of the noise, the Houston Rockets stayed relatively quiet, making two minor moves. The first was exchanging second-round picks with the Boston Celtics, as Jaden Springer was the only player involved in the deal. He would eventually be waived, per Mike Scotto of HoopsHype.

While their Western Conference competitors engineered seismic deals that altered the NBA landscape — trading for Luka Dončić, Anthony Davis, Jimmy Butler and De’Aaron Fox — the Houston Rockets remained at a relative standstill as Thursday’s NBA trade deadline passed.

The Houston Rockets only made minor deals at the 2025 NBA trade deadline. But the results of some other teams' deadline activity make Houston's future look much brighter.

The Timberwolves stood pat at Thursday’s trade deadline in part because there is a strong internal belief that when they are fully healthy, the Wolves have the ability to make a run. With Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo out at least another few weeks,