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 reportedly could be key players leading up to Thursday's NBA trade deadline even if they don't land a big-name player. According to

Ben Simmons, Malcolm Brogdon, and Bruce Brown headline the list of potential NBA buyout candidates after the trade deadline.

The Houston Rockets made a last-minute move ahead of the NBA trade deadline Thursday afternoon to acquire center Cody Zeller and a 2028 second-round pick from the Atlanta Hawks, according to a person with knowledge of the transaction.

The Rockets are acquiring their 2028 second-round draft pick from Atlanta in exchange for taking on the salary of veteran Hawks center Cody Zeller.

Houston's only trade heading into deadline day was a deal with the Boston Celtics that saw them net Jaden Springer while swapping second-round picks with the C's. The Rockets will be sending out a 2028 second-round pick to the Hawks in exchange for Zeller, allowing them to shore up their bench with another small trade.

Within the final hour of the NBA Trade deadline, the Houston Rockets have made another move. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Rockets have acquired big man Cody Zeller from the Atlanta Hawks.