Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reported last weekend that the Rockets are unlikely to be major players at this year's trade deadline, as the team attempts to maintain its flexibility for this summer. That's a point that GM Daryl Morey reiterated in speaking to Sam Amick of USA Today, telling Amick he doesn't expect to make a blockbuster deal in the next week.
"Most likely, it's not going to be through trade," Morey said, of upgrading his roster. "Most likely, it's going to be through the use of our cap room where we have max room this summer…. I think (the next week) is going to be quiet. Of course a year ago, if you would've said, 'James Harden — what about him?' I would've said, 'No way. They won't trade him.' You never know. You stay opportunistic. But I would guess that this trade deadline is going to be quiet."
As Chris Broussard of ESPN.com noted earlier today, the Rockets figure to have enough cap room to make a play for the top free agents on the market in July. Dwight Howard will likely be the team's top target, with Andrew Bynum looming as a potential Plan B. Even if the Rockets can't land a premium free agent, that cap space could be useful for facilitating trades or signing second-tier players.