The Houston Rockets are not inclined towards major trades leading up to Thursday's deadline but could pursue a minor deal to enhance their squad depth before the playoffs. A proposed trade with the Miami Heat involves sending Josh Richardson to the Rockets in exchange for a second-round pick swap in the 2026 NBA Draft. Despite speculation about potential blockbuster trades, the Rockets are keen on maintaining their young core and have shown reluctance to disrupt their rotation.

Reports indicate that Houston's management is unwilling to jeopardize their future by trading significant assets, even for stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo. They are likely to target draft picks rather than established players, which aligns with their strategy to build around existing talent. Richardson, currently sidelined due to injury, could be seen as a buyout candidate after the trade, thus opening up further roster flexibility for the Rockets.