Editing Houston Rockets (section)

===2012–2021: The James Harden era===
After the roster moves made by Morey during the 2012 NBA off-season,<ref name=moreyball/> only four players were left from the 2011–12 Rockets roster: [[Chandler Parsons]], [[Greg Smith (basketball, born 1991)|Greg Smith]], [[Marcus Morris (basketball)|Marcus Morris]], and [[Patrick Patterson (basketball)|Patrick Patterson]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-11-12/sports/sfl-miami-heat-houston-rockets-pregame-s111212_1_pregame-note-dexter-pittman-mario-chalmers|title=Miami Heat, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh commentary from Ira Winderman|author=Winderman, Ira|work=South Florida Sun-Sentinel|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-date=May 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527014213/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-11-12/sports/sfl-miami-heat-houston-rockets-pregame-s111212_1_pregame-note-dexter-pittman-mario-chalmers|url-status=dead}}</ref> with the latter two leaving through trades during the [[2012–13 NBA season|2012–13 season]].<ref name=moreyball/> The most important acquisition was reigning [[NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award|Sixth Man of the Year]] [[James Harden]], who Morey called a "foundational" player expected to be Houston's featured player after a supporting role in the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]].<ref>{{cite news|title=GM: James Harden is 'foundational'|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/8570173/houston-rockets-gm-calls-james-harden-foundational-player|newspaper=ESPN|date=October 29, 2012}}</ref> Harden caused an immediate impact as part of the starting lineup for the Rockets, with 37 points, 12 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and a block in the season opener against the Detroit Pistons,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400277726|title=Houston Rockets vs. Detroit Pistons - Box Score - October 31, 2012 - ESPN|work=ESPN|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> and an average of 25.9 points a game through the season. Combining Harden's performance and McHale's up-tempo offense, the Rockets became one of the highest-scoring offenses in the NBA, leading the league in scoring for the majority of the season.<ref name=moreyball/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caller.com/sports/2012-13-houston-rockets-season-review-one-giant-step-ep-357941937.html|date=April 12, 2013|title=2012–13 Houston Rockets season review: One giant step|author=Mark Travis|work=CCCT|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> In the [[2013 NBA playoffs|postseason]], the Rockets fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, losing the series 4–2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/playoffs/2013/westseries1/|title=Thunder vs. Rockets - Western Conference First Round - 2013 NBA Playoffs|work=NBA.com|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:James Harden Rockets cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[James Harden]] arrived in Houston in 2012, and became a [[franchise player]] for the Rockets.]]
Eager to add another franchise player to their team, the Rockets heavily pursued and then acquired free agent [[Center (basketball)|center]] [[Dwight Howard]] in the 2013 off-season. He officially signed with the Rockets on July 13, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/howard-selects-houston-free-agency|title=Howard Selects Houston in Free Agency|work=Houston Rockets|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> Led by the new inside-out combination of Howard and James Harden, and with a strong supporting cast including [[Chandler Parsons]], [[Jeremy Lin]], and [[Ömer Aşık]], the Rockets were expected to jump into title contention in the upcoming season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/preview2013/story/_/page/5-on-5-1314hou/2013-14-outlook-houston-rockets|title=2013–14 outlook - Houston Rockets|work=ESPN|date=October 25, 2014|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> However, that [[2014 NBA playoffs|postseason]], the Rockets were defeated in the first round by the [[Portland Trail Blazers]], losing the series 4–2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/playoffs/2014/westseries4/|title=Rockets vs. Trail Blazers - Western Conference First Round - 2014 NBA Playoffs|work=NBA.com|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> Still, in the [[2014–15 NBA season|2014–15 season]], without Lin and Parsons but reinforced by [[Trevor Ariza]], the Rockets started the season well, winning the first four games of the season for the first time since 1996–97,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20141103/HOUPHI/gameinfo.html|title=Rockets at 76ers|work=NBA.com|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> and winning each of their first six games by 10 points or more, the first team to accomplish this feat since the 1985–86 Denver Nuggets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20141106/SASHOU/gameinfo.html|title=Spurs at Rockets|work=NBA.com|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128235420/http://www.nba.com/games/20141106/SASHOU/gameinfo.html|archive-date=January 28, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Though the Rockets had many key players miss time throughout the entire season, James Harden took it upon himself to keep the Rockets near the top of the conference, turning him into an MVP front-runner. He became the first Rocket to score 50 points in a game since [[Hakeem Olajuwon]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20150319/DENHOU/gameinfo.html?ls=slt|title=Nuggets at Rockets|work=NBA.com|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> as well as the only player in franchise history to record multiple 50 point games in a season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20150401/SACHOU/gameinfo.html|title=Kings at Rockets|work=NBA.com|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630070942/http://www.nba.com/games/20150401/SACHOU/gameinfo.html|archive-date=June 30, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> On April 15, 2015, the Rockets beat the Jazz to claim their first-ever Southwest Division title and first Division crown since [[1993–94 Houston Rockets season|1994]], and by completing 56 wins finished with the third-best regular season record in franchise history.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/bkn-jazz-rockets-writethru-idUSMTZEB4GVS8FBY20150416|title=Rockets clinch Southwest Division with win over Jazz|work=Reuters|date=April 16, 2015|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> During the playoffs, the Rockets beat the Mavericks 4–1 in the first round, and overcame a 3–1 deficit against the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] to win the Western semifinals and return to the Conference Finals for the first time in 18 years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2015/05/17/rockets-back-in-conference-finals-first-1st-time-since-97/27503719/|title=Rockets back in conference finals first 1st time since '97|agency=AP|date=May 17, 2015|work=USA Today|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> In the Conference Finals, the Rockets were defeated by the Golden State Warriors 4–1.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2015/05/28/warriors-beat-rockets-game-5-nba-finals-stephen-curry-cavaliers|title=Warriors return to NBA Finals with win over Rockets in Game 5|author=Taylor, Phil|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref>

The [[2015–16 NBA season|2015–16 season]] saw [[Kevin McHale (basketball)|Kevin McHale]] fired after a bad start where the team only won 4 of its first 11 games, and assistant [[J. B. Bickerstaff]] took over coaching duties.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/14160559/houston-rockets-fire-coach-kevin-mchale|title=Rockets fire coach Kevin McHale|work=ESPN|date=November 18, 2015|access-date=November 20, 2015}}</ref> Inconsistent play led to the Rockets struggling to remain in the playoff qualifying zone,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/2016/3/28/11313502/2016-nba-scores-rockets-pacers-mavericks-kings-playoffs-east-west-inconsistent|title=NBA scores 2016: The erratic Rockets are playing their way out of the playoffs|publisher=SB Nation|first=Liam|last=Boylan-Pett|date=March 28, 2016|access-date=March 30, 2016}}</ref> and surrounded by trade rumors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25484360/report-rockets-heat-talk-dwight-howard-hassan-whiteside-swap|title=Report: Rockets, Heat talk Dwight Howard-Hassan Whiteside swap|first=James|last=Herbert |work=CBS Sports|date=February 15, 2016|access-date=March 30, 2016}}</ref> Houston only clinched its [[2016 NBA playoffs|2016 playoffs]] spot by winning its last game, finishing the season 41–41 to earn an eight seed and a match-up against the Warriors.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400829111|title=Rockets clinch playoff berth with 116-81 win over Kings|first=Kristie|last=Rieken|agency=Associated Press|date=April 13, 2016|access-date=April 13, 2016}}</ref> Like in the previous year, the Rockets were once again defeated by Golden State in five games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/playoffs/2016/westseries1/|title=Warriors oust Rockets, storm into West semis|work=NBA.com|access-date=April 28, 2016}}</ref>

====2016–2020: The arrival of Mike D'Antoni====
During the 2016 off-season, [[Mike D'Antoni]] was named as the Rockets' new head coach,<ref>{{cite news|title=Rockets Name Mike D'Antoni Head Coach|url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/rockets-name-mike-dantoni-head-coach|publisher=NBA|date=June 1, 2016|access-date=June 1, 2016}}</ref> and Dwight Howard opted out of his contract's final year, becoming a free agent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/16402346/dwight-howard-houston-rockets-declines-player-option-become-free-agent|title=Source: Dwight Howard opts out despite Rockets' efforts to keep him|work=ESPN|date=June 22, 2016|first=Calvin |last=Watkins|access-date=June 22, 2016}}</ref> In the following free-agency period, the Rockets looked to embrace the play styles of both coach D'Antoni and Harden through the signings of [[Ryan Anderson (basketball, born 1988)|Ryan Anderson]] and [[Eric Gordon]], two predominately perimeter players and good fits in Houston's up-tempo offense style.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/rockets-sign-free-agents-ryan-anderson-and-eric-gordon|title=Rockets Sign Free Agents Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon|work=NBA.com|date=July 8, 2016|access-date=July 12, 2016}}</ref> Morey signed [[Nenê|Nenê Hilario]] to succor the roster defense and a backup behind [[Clint Capela]] and [[Ryan Anderson (basketball, born 1988)|Ryan Anderson]] after [[Dwight Howard]] and [[Donatas Motiejūnas]] left the team during free agency.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McIlvoy |first=Randy |date=July 6, 2016 |title=Center Nene says he has signed with Houston Rockets |url=https://www.click2houston.com/sports/2016/07/06/center-nene-says-he-has-signed-with-houston-rockets/ |access-date=July 6, 2016 |website=click2houston.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cantalogo |first=Andre |date=Jul 10, 2016 |title=Analyzing Houston Rockets Signing of Brazilian center Nene |url=https://spacecityscoop.com/2016/07/11/analyzing-houston-rockets-signing-brazilian-center-nene/ |access-date=Jul 10, 2016 |website=spacecityscoop.com}}</ref>

When the 2016–17 season started, Harden was off to a great start and was widely considered a top MVP runner along with [[Kawhi Leonard]], alongside former teammate [[Russell Westbrook]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.nba.com/article/2016/11/11/mvp-ladder-week-1-2016-17-russell-westbrook-leads-way-begin?collection=writer/archive/sekou-smith |title= Russell Westbrook stands out most as new MVP chase begins |author= Smith, Sekou |work=NBA.com |date= November 11, 2016 |access-date= June 1, 2017}}</ref> To gain more firepower from the bench, Morey traded [[Corey Brewer]] and the 2017 first-round pick to the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] for [[Lou Williams]] to enhance the team's offense.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NBA.com |date=February 23, 2017 |title=Houston Rockets trade Corey Brewer, 2017 first-round pick to Los Angeles Lakers for Lou Williams |url=https://www.nba.com/news/houston-rockets-trade-corey-brewer-lakers-lou-williams |access-date= |website=[[NBA.com]]}}</ref> When the season ended, the Rockets were third in both the Western Conference and overall rankings, a major improvement from the season before. D'Antoni was named the [[NBA Coach of the Year]], Eric Gordon the [[Sixth Man of the Year]], and Harden finished second in MVP voting to Russell Westbrook.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/nbaawards/2017/finalists|title=2017 NBA Awards Complete List Of Winners|work=NBA.com|date=June 26, 2017|access-date= June 28, 2017}}</ref> In the playoffs, the Rockets faced the sixth seeded [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] in a battle of the MVP frontrunners, as the winner was not announced until after the finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2017/04/11/first-round-playoff-series-preview-houston-rockets-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder|title=Series preview: Houston Rockets-Oklahoma City Thunder series could entertain mightily|first=Fran|last=Blinebury|work=NBA.com|date=April 13, 2017|access-date=June 28, 2017}}</ref> The Rockets won the series 4–1 including [[Nene Hilario]]'s perfect 12–12 in field goals in Game 4.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400950407|title=Nene's 28 lead Rockets past Thunder for 3-1 series lead|work=ESPN|date=April 23, 2017|access-date=April 24, 2017}}</ref> In the following round, Houston opened with a dominating 27 points win over the [[San Antonio Spurs]], lost the following two games and then tied the series again.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/NBA/2017/05/08/2017-NBA-Playoffs-Houston-Rockets-San-Antonio-Spurs-Game-5-preview-update/3591494277473/ |title=2017 NBA Playoffs: Houston Rockets-San Antonio Spurs Game 5 preview, update|publisher=The Sports Xchange |date=May 8, 2017|author=Habel, Steve|access-date=April 24, 2018}}</ref> The fifth game went into overtime and had both [[Manu Ginobili]] blocking James Harden's game tying three point attempt at the final second,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/NBA/2017/05/10/Manu-Ginobili-blocks-James-Harden-at-buzzer-San-Antonio-Spurs-win-over-Houston-Rockets/1431494425810/|title=Manu Ginobili blocks James Harden at buzzer, San Antonio Spurs win over Houston Rockets|publisher=The Sports Xchange |date=May 10, 2017|author=Habel, Steve|access-date=April 24, 2018}}</ref> and Nene injuring himself out of the postseason.<ref>{{cite web|last=MacMahon|first=Tim|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19337494/houston-rockets-center-nene-ruled-rest-playoffs-left-groin-injury|title=Rockets center Nene out for rest of playoffs with groin injury|work=ESPN|date=May 8, 2017|access-date=May 9, 2017}}</ref> Without Nene, the Rockets could not guard [[LaMarcus Aldridge]], who scored 34 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the series-closing match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400952495|title=Spurs rout James Harden, Rockets 114-75 to win series|work=ESPN|date=May 11, 2017|access-date=May 11, 2017}}</ref>
[[File:Chris Paul (2022 All-Star Weekend) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Chris Paul (Shown in 2022) arrived in Houston in 2017]]
During the 2017 off-season, the Rockets were purchased by Houston restaurant billionaire [[Tilman Fertitta]] for $2.2 billion,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2017/10/10/tilman-fertitta-introduced-new-owner-houston-rockets|title=Tilman Fertitta introduced as the new owner of the Houston Rockets|first=Kristie|last=Rieken |website=[[NBA.com]]|agency=The Associated Press|date=October 10, 2017|access-date=May 29, 2018}}</ref> breaking the record for the price to purchase an American professional sports team.<ref>{{cite news|title=Teams like the Rockets rarely come available. That's why they're being sold for $2.2 billion |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2017/09/05/teams-like-the-rockets-rarely-come-available-thats-why-theyre-being-sold-for-2-2-billion/|date=September 5, 2017}}</ref> The team also acquired 8-time All-NBA player and 9-time All-Star [[Chris Paul]] in a trade from the [[Los Angeles Clippers]], in exchange for seven players, cash considerations, and a top three protected 2018 first round draft pick.<ref>{{cite news|title='Weapons race': Rockets tout CP3-Harden pair|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19758509/la-clippers-trade-chris-paul-houston-rockets|date=June 28, 2017|work=ESPN|access-date=June 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Rieken|first1=Kristie|title=LA Clippers trade Chris Paul to Houston Rockets|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2017/06/28/chris-paul-trade-houston-rockets-la-clippers-opt|date=June 28, 2017|website=NBA.com|access-date=June 28, 2017}}</ref> Even if Paul missed many games due to a knee injury, he was a key addition to the Rockets.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2017/12/21/chris-pauls-injury-against-the-lakers-underscores-the-fragile-nature-of-the-magnificent-rockets/|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Chris Paul's injury against the Lakers underscores the fragile nature of the magnificent Rockets|first=Tim|last=Bontemps|date=December 21, 2017|access-date=May 28, 2018}}</ref> The team finished the season with 65 wins, a record both league-leading and the best in franchise history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/2017-18-season-milestones|title=NBA season of milestones: Notable moments mark 2017-18 campaign|work=NBA.com|date=April 12, 2018|access-date=May 28, 2018}}</ref> During the playoffs, Houston beat the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] and Utah Jazz in five games before another confrontation with the Golden State Warriors.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/news/nba-playoffs-2018-rockets-vs-warriors-prediction-pick-preview-schedule-conference-finals/x4o55zsrlkjs197quo8vrrcef|title=Rockets vs. Warriors: Preview, predictions as Western Conference powerhouses collide|author=Deveney, Sean|magazine=Sporting News|date=May 14, 2018|access-date=May 28, 2018}}</ref> In Game 5 of the Conference Finals, the Rockets took a 3–2 lead in the series, but they saw Paul leave with an injured hamstring. His absence was felt in the two remaining games, where Houston led by halftime in Game 7 only to suffer a comeback by Golden State.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401032767|title=Warriors reach 4th straight NBA Finals with win over Houston|work=ESPN|date=May 28, 2018|access-date=May 29, 2018}}</ref>

The Rockets had one draft pick entering the off-season, and they used it to select [[De'Anthony Melton]], packaging him in a trade with the [[Phoenix Suns]] alongside Ryan Anderson to receive [[Brandon Knight (basketball)|Brandon Knight]] and [[Marquese Chriss]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24528593|title=Rockets deal Anderson to Suns for Chriss, Knight|date=August 31, 2018|website=ESPN|access-date=July 6, 2019}}</ref> In free agency, they signed [[James Ennis III]], [[Michael Carter-Williams]], and [[Carmelo Anthony]]. They started the season with a 1–4 record, and after 13 games where they went 6–7, Houston and Anthony mutually agreed to part ways, who was eventually traded to the Chicago Bulls and subsequently waived.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2019/01/21/houston-rockets-carmelo-anthony-trade-chicago-bulls|title=Reports: Rockets agree to trade Carmelo Anthony to Bulls|website=NBA.com|access-date=July 6, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/carmelo-anthony-waived-rockets-2018-11|title=The Rockets are officially parting ways with Carmelo Anthony after just 13 games|last=Davis|first=Scott|website=Business Insider|access-date=July 6, 2019}}</ref> After falling to the 14th seed in the Western Conference, James Harden went on a 32-game streak scoring at least 30 points per game—the second-longest in NBA history—with Harden averaging 41.1 points per game in that run. He drove the Rockets through a 21–11 push in that streak; and after beginning the season 11–14, the Rockets finished the season 42–15, winning 20 of their last 25 games and finishing fourth in the Western Conference after losing the final two games of the season, which would have potentially given them the second or third seed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/2018-19-Rockets-review-James-Harden-13882900.php|title=2018-19 Rockets review: James Harden|date=May 23, 2019|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|access-date=July 6, 2019 |last1=Feigen |first1=Jonathan }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://spacecityscoop.com/2019/04/21/houston-rockets-takeaways-win/|title=Houston Rockets: 3 takeaways from Game 3 win|date=April 21, 2019|website=Space City Scoop|access-date=July 6, 2019}}</ref> After what was determined to be poor fits of the acquisitions made in free agency, on top of injuries, Daryl Morey traded the players acquired in the off-season at the trade deadline and replaced them with [[Austin Rivers]], [[Kenneth Faried]], [[Danuel House]], and [[Iman Shumpert]] during the season. On April 7, 2019, against the Phoenix Suns, Houston became the first team in NBA history to make 25+ two-pointers and 25+ three-pointers in the same game, outscoring their last four opponents by 117 points, second-best in a four-game span in franchise history (127+ in February 1993). They beat their own record for most three-pointers made by one team in a single game in NBA history two times with 26 and 27.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25577541|title=Rockets hit NBA-record 26 3s in rout of Wizards|date=December 20, 2018|website=ESPN|access-date=July 6, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/3397055002|title=Rockets break their own single-game record for 3s in rout of Suns|website=amp.usatoday.com|access-date=July 6, 2019}}</ref> The Rockets clinched a division title and a playoff berth for a seventh straight appearance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2821866-james-harden-rockets-clinch-7th-straight-nba-playoff-berth-in-win-vs-pelicans|title=James Harden, Rockets Clinch 7th Straight NBA Playoff Berth in Win vs. Pelicans|website=Bleacher Report|access-date=July 6, 2019}}</ref> After defeating the Utah Jazz in five games, Houston faced Golden State for the fourth time in five years. The series began with a tight Game 1 decided by four points along with officiating that received scrutiny.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/04/warriors-rockets-game-1-refs-brutal-james-harden-chris-paul|title = Everybody rightfully hated the refs in Rockets-Warriors Game 1|date = April 28, 2019}}</ref> With both teams winning their home games, putting the series at 2–2, Golden State won the next two games to eliminate the Rockets for the second year in a row along with the fourth time in five years.

During the 2019 off-season, Morey sought out to once again retool the roster. As part of a trade with the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]], the Rockets traded [[Chris Paul]], two future first round picks, and two future first round pick swaps in exchange for James Harden's former Thunder teammate [[Russell Westbrook]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-trade-Chris-Paul-acquire-Russell-Westbrook-14089859.php|title=Rockets trade Chris Paul to acquire Russell Westbrook|newspaper=Chron|access-date=July 11, 2019 |last1=Feigen |first1=Jonathan }}</ref> Nearing the trade deadline of the 2019–20 season, the Rockets were involved in a blockbuster, four-team trade which was centered around bringing [[Robert Covington]] back to the Rockets and sending centers [[Clint Capela]] and [[Nenê]] to the [[Atlanta Hawks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28638121/sources-robert-covington-clint-capela-part-4-team-12-player-deal|title=Sources: Capela dealt in 4-team, 12-player trade|date=February 5, 2020|website=ESPN|language=en|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> The trade cemented the Rockets' total commitment to a [[Small ball (basketball)|small ball]], [[Basketball playbook|5-out offense]], a style of play which was considered revolutionary for its time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-rockets-may-be-short-but-theyre-not-exactly-small/|title=The Rockets May Be Short, But They're Not Exactly Small|last=Dubin|first=Jared|date=March 4, 2020|website=FiveThirtyEight|language=en-US|access-date=March 4, 2020}}</ref> In their first twelve games since going 6'7" or shorter in their lineups, the Rockets went 10–2, being in the top percentile in win percentage, offensive rating, and point differential.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.talkbasket.net/72824-interesting-stat-rockets-record-since-switching-to-small-ball|title=Interesting stat: Rockets record since switching to small-ball|website=talkbasket.net|date=March 2020|access-date=June 17, 2020}}</ref> In February, the month they made the trade, the double-MVP backcourt of Harden and Westbrook became the first teammates in NBA history to average 30+ points and 5+ assists per game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2020/03/01/russell-westbrook-james-harden-finish-historic-month-in-style/|title=Russell Westbrook, James Harden finish historic month in style|website=USA Today|date=March 2020|access-date=June 17, 2020}}</ref> By the end of the season, Harden and Westbrook scored a combined 61.5 points per game, breaking [[Kobe Bryant]] and [[Shaquille O'Neal|Shaquille O'Neal's]] previous record for the highest-scoring basketball duo since the ABA-NBA merger.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Songco|first=Paolo|date=August 7, 2020|title=Rockets' James Harden, Russell Westbrook become highest-scoring duo since ABA-NBA merge|work=ClutchPoints|url=https://clutchpoints.com/rockets-news-james-harden-russell-westbrook-becomes-highest-scoring-duo-since-aba-nba-merge/|access-date=October 1, 2020}}</ref>

Following the [[suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season]], the Rockets were one of the 22 teams invited to the [[2020 NBA Bubble|NBA Bubble]] to participate in the final eight games of the regular season.<ref>{{cite web |title=NBA Board of Governors approves competitive format to restart 2019-20 season with 22 teams returning to play |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/06/04/board-of-governors-approves-nba-return-official-release |website=NBA.com |access-date=September 14, 2020 |date=June 4, 2020}}</ref>

After the Rockets were eliminated in the playoffs by the Los Angeles Lakers, D'Antoni and Morey informed the Rockets that they would both not return to the team for the 2020–21 season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wojnarowski |first1=Adrian |title=Mike D'Antoni tells Houston Rockets he won't return as coach |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29877395/sources-mike-dantoni-telling-houston-rockets-return-coach |website=ESPN |access-date=September 14, 2020 |date=September 13, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=October 15, 2020 |title=Morey: 'Right time' to step down as Rockets GM |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30120824/daryl-morey-stepping-houston-rockets-gm-sources-say |access-date=July 26, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> [[Rafael Stone]] was hired as the general manager after serving in [[general counsel]] and as an assistant general manager.<ref>{{cite news |last=Feigen |first=Jonathan |date=October 15, 2020 |title=Rockets' new GM Rafael Stone: a passion for basketball and a mind for deals |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/Rockets-new-GM-Rafael-Stone-a-passion-for-15651539.php |access-date=July 26, 2022 |website=Houston Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Stephen Silas]] was hired as the Rockets' head coach. Stone traded [[Robert Covington]] to the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] in exchange for former Houston veteran [[Trevor Ariza]], a first-round pick, and the rights to [[Isaiah Stewart]], who was the 16th overall pick in the [[2020 NBA draft]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Rafael Stone NBA & ABA Basketball Executive Record|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/executives/stonera99x.html|access-date=2022-01-12|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en}}</ref> Stone then traded Ariza, the rights to Stewart, a second round pick, and cash considerations to the [[Detroit Pistons]] in exchange for [[Christian Wood]], a first-round pick, and a second round pick. A few days later, the Rockets signed former All-Star [[DeMarcus Cousins]] in a one-year deal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DuBose |first=Ben |date=November 23, 2020 |title=Veteran center DeMarcus Cousins to sign one-year deal with Rockets |url=https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2020/11/23/veteran-center-demarcus-cousins-to-sign-one-year-deal-with-rockets/}}</ref> A week later, Westbrook was traded to the [[Washington Wizards]] in December 2020 in an exchange for Cousins former Kentucky teammate [[John Wall]] and a lottery-protected first-round pick.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 2, 2020 |title=Wizards acquire Russell Westbrook |url=https://www.nba.com/wizards/wizards-acquire-russell-westbrook |access-date=December 3, 2020 |website=NBA.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=December 2, 2020 |title=Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards agree to Russell Westbrook-John Wall trade |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30439266/sources-houston-rockets-washington-wizards-agree-russell-westbrook-john-wall-deal |access-date=December 3, 2020 |website=ESPN}}</ref>

In January 2021, Harden was traded to the [[Brooklyn Nets]] in a four-team trade. In return, the Rockets received [[Victor Oladipo]] from the Indiana Pacers, [[Rodions Kurucs]] from the Brooklyn Nets, [[Danté Exum|Dante Exum]] from the Cleveland Cavaliers, four 1st-round picks, and four 1st-round picks swap.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rockets Announce Revised Four-Team Trade |url=https://www.nba.com/rockets/news/rockets-announce-revised-four-team-trade |website=NBA.com |access-date=January 17, 2021 |date=January 16, 2021}}</ref>{{refn|group=upper-alpha|name="JamesHardenJan21"|January 16, 2021: [[Brooklyn Nets]] to Houston Rockets (four-team trade with [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] and [[Indiana Pacers]])<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="autogenerated2"/><ref name="autogenerated3"/>
*Houston acquired [[Victor Oladipo]], [[Dante Exum]], [[Rodions Kurucs]], a ''2022 first-round draft selection'', 2024 first-round draft selection, 2026 first-round draft selection, rights to swap first-round draft selections in 2021, 2023, 2025, and 2027, and a ''2022 first-round draft selection'' (from Milwaukee)
*Brooklyn acquired [[James Harden]] and a 2024 second-round draft selection
*Cleveland acquired [[Jarrett Allen]] and [[Taurean Prince]]
*Indiana acquired [[Caris LeVert]] and 2 future second-round draft selections}} The Rockets began the season with an 11–10 start but ended up with a 17–55 record,{{Efn|Due to COVID-19, the league shortened the season to 72 games rather than its usual 82-game season.|group=note|name=}} the worst in the league despite with many injuries and trades.