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.

In the last 48 hours, the Houston Rockets in-state rivals in the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs have undergone metamorphosis. Firstly, in a shadowy Saturday-night deal, 25-year-old superstar Luka Doncic was shipped off to the Lakers in exchange for star center Anthony Davis,

The Boston Celtics swung a trade ahead of Thursday's deadline, reportedly sending backup guard Jaden Springer to the Houston Rockets in a salary dump.

The Rockets, currently the No. 2 seed in the West, are relatively content with their roster and unlikely to get involved in the De'Aaron Fox sweepstakes.

Celtics GM explains "boring as hell" trade deadline and why he's not concerned by his team's up and down performance.

The Boston Celtics were relatively quiet at the 2025 NBA trade deadline. The team's only move was a financial one, as Boston sent guard Jaden Springer to the Houston Rockets for a pick swap, saving Boston $15 million in luxury tax penalties.

The Boston Celtics traded guard Jaden Springer to the Houston Rockets, parting ways with the 23-year-old wing defender just a year after acquiring him at last season's trade deadline. The Celtics received a conditional 2031 second-round pick in the deal and will send a 2030 second-round pick and conditional 2027 second-round pick to the Rockets.