Rockets Trade Rumors Tracker: Latest Updates Ahead of NBA Trade Deadline

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

If we've learned one thing over the past year, it's this: Daryl Morey isn't shy.

The Houston Rockets general manager put together one of the busiest offseasons in recent memory last summer. 

Sure, he missed out on getting Dwight Howard after being a rumored suitor for so long, but he was active in free agency, bringing in Jeremy Lin. He stockpiled picks, bringing in Jeremy Lamb, Royce White and Terrence Jones all in the first round of the draft. 

Then, among several other trades, he shocked the world by completing a blockbuster with the Oklahoma City Thunder to bring in dynamic shooting guard James Harden.

So, yeah, with Morey and the Rockets, any—and every deal—is a legitimate possibility.

With the trade deadline quickly approaching, let's take a look at the latest buzz surrounding this ever-busy franchise.  

Latest Rockets Trade Buzz

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

UPDATE: Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 9:13 p.m. ET by Dan Talintyre

Houston have officially completed a deal with the Sacramento Kings, according to Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports (h/t Hoopsworld).

The Houston Rockets have acquired Thomas Robinson, Francisco Garcia and Tyler Honeycutt and have sent Patrick Patterson, Cole Aldrich and Toney Douglas to the Sacramento Kings.

The Rockets have been searching for a low-post presence and they believe that Robinson has excellent upside. Robinson is in his rookie year, having only played 51 games after being selected fifth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey and Rockets head coach Kevin McHale had said that the team wasn’t going to make a trade, but the team couldn’t pass up this opportunity. This is now the sixth year in a row that Morey has made a trade at the deadline.

The Kings bring in Patterson, who is older and more experienced than Robinson, but doesn’t seem to have the same upside. In a separate deal, the Rockets sent Marcus Morris to the Phoenix Suns for a future second-round pick. That means twins Marcus and Markieff Morris have been reunited in Phoenix.

However, according to Mike Fisher from DallasBasketball.com, that deal could well be done in order to facilitate another deal before the deadline closes.

NBA source tells me #Rockets trade for #Kings Thomas Robinson is to facilitate another Hou deal.

— mike fisher (@fishsports) February 21, 2013

---End of update---

UPDATE: Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 7:21 p.m. ET by Dan Talintyre

Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is believed to have told reporters that Houston will not be making any further action before the trade deadline closes.

Per Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld.com:

In recent weeks, Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey has been saying that this could be a quiet deadline for Houston. The team already made one blockbuster trade this year to acquire James Harden, and now Morey has repeatedly said that he wanted some roster stability rather than more change.

While some people were hesitant to believe Morey’s stance since he has made a trade at the last five deadlines, Rockets head coach Kevin McHale is now saying the same thing. “We’re not doing anything,” McHale told the Houston Chronicle. “I’d be shocked if we do anything.”

Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Houston could be interested in moving Terrence Jones for a first round pick, though no potential trade partners are known.

Houston's showing a willingness to move rookie Terrence Jones for a 1st-round pick, sources tell Y! Rockets are deep at forward spot.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 20, 2013

---End of update---

Danny Granger to the Rockets?

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Danny Granger has yet to appear in a game this season because of a knee injury, but according to the Indianapolis Star's Mike Wells, the Indiana Pacers' electric small forward is progressing:

Danny Granger took part in a live half court scrimmage for the first time 2day. And before u ask there's still NO timetable for his return.

— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNBA) January 31, 2013

With Granger getting closer to a return—and Paul George playing like an All-Star at small forward in his stead—the Pacers are listening to inquiries. 

According to FOX Sports Ohio's Sam Amico, the Rockets are among the intrigued suitors:

Houston is one team reported to have a keen eye on Indiana forward Danny Granger. The Pacers aren’t totally against keeping the 29-year-old forward, who has missed all of the season with a knee injury. But following the emergence of All-Star Paul George, they are taking and making exploratory calls.

In 62 games last season, Granger averaged 18.7 points (on 41.6 percent shooting), 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game. According to Basketball-Reference, his offensive rating was a stellar 111 while his defensive rating was an improved 104.

But despite that top notch production—and overall steady numbers over the past five seasons—it would be odd-timing for the Rockets to seriously go after the former New Mexico star with 24-year-old Chandler Parsons enjoying a bit of a breakout season. 

Josh Smith to the Rockets?

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Atlanta Hawks big man Josh Smith has seemingly been at the center of trade rumors for the past millennium, so don't expect them to stop this February. 

This time around, the Rockets are rumored to interested. 

According to HOOPSWORLD's Alex Kennedy, Houston is one of three teams that has recently discussed Smith's future with the Hawks:

I was told that three teams - the Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets and Charlotte Bobcats - had exploratory talks with the Atlanta Hawks.

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) February 2, 2013

Kennedy mentions Smith in the tweets both before and after that one, so it's clear he is talking about the high-flying power forward.

Smith is a polarizing player.

Some criticize him because he settles for too many jump shots (30.2 percent on 96 three-pointers this season) and overall lack of efficiency (47.2 effective shooting percentage; an atrocious offensive rating of 94).

Others love him because his athleticism and nose for the ball make him a truly elite defender. This season, he is averaging 1.3 steals and 2.2 blocks per game with a fantastic defensive rating of 99. 

The Rockets, who have run Patrick Patterson mostly at the 4 this season, could certainly use another defensive presence. They are currently (as of Feb. 4) seventh in the NBA in offensive efficiency, but 18th on the other side of the ball. 

Pairing Smith with Omer Asik would give Houston arguably the NBA's best defensive pairing down low.  

Rockets Love Zach Randolph

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

According to HOOPSWORLD's Alex Kennedy, sources say that the Houston Rockets "love" Zach Randolph:

Source says that the Memphis Grizzlies may keep Rudy Gay, and instead trade Zach Randolph to the Houston Rockets. Houston loves Randolph.

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) January 20, 2013

Gay has obviously since been traded, but if Daryl Morey and company are indeed so infatuated with Z-Bo, you can bet they will still pursue him, especially if youngster Ed Davis carries over his fine play from Toronto to Memphis. 

After an injury-riddled 2011-12 season, Randolph has come back to life as a legitimate post force this year. 

His scoring isn't where it used to be (15.5 points per game, 15.8 points per 36 minutes), but he is rebounding at nearly the best rate of his career (19.7 rebounding percentage) and playing stifling defense (defensive rating of 99). 

The Rockets are the third-youngest team in the NBA, and bringing in a ultra-productive veteran who is under contract for two more seasons (Z-Bo has a player option in 2014-15) would be an incredibly savvy move as Houston prepares for a postseason run. 

Rockets Looking to Deal Terrence Jones?

Nick Laham/Getty Images

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, the Rockets might look to deal rookie forward Terrence Jones in the hopes of landing a first-round pick in return:

Houston's showing a willingness to move rookie Terrence Jones for a 1st-round pick, sources tell Y! Rockets are deep at forward spot.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 20, 2013

Jones has only played in 11 games for Houston this season and is averaging 3.1 points and 1.6 rebounds per game. He has spent the majority of his rookie campaign in the D-League, and with all the forwards the Rockets have, he doesn't figure to get much time in the team's rotation anyway.