Rockets Remain Still on Deadline Day, What Does That Mean Moving Forward?

The Houston Rockets did not make any deals on the Feb. 8 NBA Trade Deadline.

The NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone, and the Houston Rockets watched from the sideline. Houston added Steven Adams for Victor Oladipo and draft capital on Feb. 1 to the Memphis Grizzlies but were quiet on the deadline. 

After speculation suggesting that the Rockets would swing for the fences and add Malcolm Brogdon, reports that they turned down an offer for Jae'Sean Tate, and even reports that Jalen Green was on the table, it might come as a surprise that Houston stood pat.

Rockets general manager Rafael Stone talks before the game against the Denver Nuggets at Toyota Center / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Houston is not building a middle-of-the-road franchise but is instead trying to find prolonged NBA success marked by championships for the first time in the 21st century. 

As much as it may pain Houston fans, the Rockets should follow the blueprints of the more successful Texas teams, the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks. 

Both the Spurs and Mavericks lucked into a generational big-man prospect, who eventually took them to the promised land. Both franchises largely built through the draft, although the 2011 Mavericks did receive some help from offseason acquisitions. 

The Rockets have their guy in Alperen Sengun, who has been compared to a two-time MVP, and a solid cast of role players in Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet, and Jabari Smith Jr., and have high-upside rookies who could become foundational pieces. Going for broke now makes little sense when Sengun is only 21 years old. 

If Houston did add a big-time piece to get them over the hump as a middling team and become a playoff contender, the Rockets would open a championship window that would close before they could even capitalize on it. 

Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. Teammates with Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller in Rising Stars Event

Stars on the trading block like Dejounte Murray or Brogdon would have helped now, but when Sengun hits his peak, having a core of Green, Smith, Cam Whitmore, and Amen Thompson supporting him will prove to be much more viable.

Houston is taking a home-grown approach toward their future, and once it's revealed just how good the talent is, then the Rockets can buff up their lineup with a flashy deadline deal.