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

The Atlanta Hawks are trading Cody Zeller and Houston's 2028 second-round pick to the Rockets, sources tell ESPN. Source: x.com Lauren L. Williams: For tomorrow’s game vs. Phoenix: Questionable Bogdan Bogdanovic (right knee inflammation) Trae Young (illness) Out Kobe Bufkin (right shoulder surgery) Jalen Johnson (right shoulder inflammation) Larry Nance Jr.

Former Indiana men’s basketball superstar forward Cody Zeller was traded to the Houston Rockets on Thursday afternoon, according to ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania. The Atlanta Hawks also sent a 2028 second-round pick to the Rockets in the deal.

The Houston Rockets were rumored to be contemplating making a major move at the trade deadline this year, but they have largely added to the edges of their team. That continued with a trade made right before the buzzer sounded,