The Houston Rockets have re-signed center Bruno Fernando.

The Rockets acquired Fernando as part of a trade with Boston on Feb. 10, 2022.  He appeared in 10 games over the remainder of the season for Houston while averaging 6.9 points and 4.0 rebounds in 9.4 minutes per game.  In a combined 30 games for the Rockets and Celtics last season, Fernando averaged 20.8 points, 13.0 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per 36 minutes played.

Fernando scored in double-figures in four of his 10 games as a Rocket, while recording two double-doubles.  He shot 70.7% from the floor for Houston, including 8-of-8 in 23 minutes of play vs. Dallas on March 11.  Fernando was originally the 34th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft following his sophomore season at the University of Maryland and spent his first two seasons with Atlanta.

Kevin Porter Jr. has blossomed since being traded to the Houston Rockets from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, Houston and Porter have mutual interest in a contract extension.

The Rockets have very little long-term guaranteed money on their books beyond rookie scale contracts. Before an extension with Porter, Houston could have as much as $70 million cap space in the summer of 2023.

Porter was traded from the Cavaliers to the Rockets ahead of the 2021 trade deadline when it was determined he needed a fresh start. In 87 games over two seasons with Houston, Porter has averaged 15.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game.

The Houston Rockets reached out to the Orlando Magic about a trade up once they were convinced Paolo Banchero would be selected at No. 1, sources told ESPN. 

For weeks, Jabari Smith was mocked to go to the Magic at No. 1, followed by Chet Holmgren to the Oklahoma City Thunder at No. 2, and Banchero to the Rockets at No. 3.

"We didn't know [Orlando was taking Banchero] until 10 minutes before the draft," Rockets general manager Rafael Stone said.

"I didn't hear from the Magic telling me for sure until a few minutes before," said Mike Miller, Banchero's agent.

The Rockets wouldn't have made an offer if they were certain Smith would slide to them at No. 3. Houston was concerned about having to make a decision on Holmgren without time to process his medical information.

"When [the odds] shifted, we noted it," Stone said. "If people are willing to put their money on it, especially when you see a big swing like that, it feels like maybe somebody knows something."

Houston hadn't met with Smith before the draft, though they'd done extensive scouting and research on him. 

The Magic listened to the offer from the Rockets but firmly passed. The discussion was brief and the Magic were clear a deal was highly unlikely. 

The Magic ultimately called in their selections well ahead of the five-minute time limit, which didn't give them an offer to hear any last minute offers. 

The Houston Rockets were close to a draft night trade of Eric Gordon with the Philadelphia 76ers the presumed landing spot before talks fell apart.

The Rockets also received offers on Gordon from the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns, who offered packages including first round picks. The Los Angeles Lakers have also expressed interest in Gordon.

The Sixers re-engaged the Rockets at the start of free agency, but were unable to get a deal done as Houston isn't desperate to trade Gordon. The Rockets could reevaluate offers on Gordon later in the offseason and even at the deadline.

Gordon signed a four-year, $76 million extension in 2019. Gordon has $19.6 million on his contract for 22-23 and $20.9 million for 2023-24. However, the final season is fully non-guaranteed unless Gordon's team wins the NBA Finals in 2023 or he makes the All-Star team in 2023.

While the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets continue to slowly negotiate a potential Kyrie Irving trade that might necessitate a third team taking on the contract of Russell Westbrook, other deals have been explored.

The Lakers have discussed a Buddy Hield trade with the Indiana Pacers, as well as an Eric Gordon trade with the Houston Rockets. The Lakers were close to trading for Hield at last year's draft before they pivoted to the Westbrook trade. 

"They've looked at other deals," said Adrian Wojnarowski on ESPN. "They've continued to, I know, check on Eric Gordon in Houston. That's certainly a player that interests them. Buddy Hield in Indiana. Different kinds of guards. Shooting guards, certainly, both of those players former Rob Pelinka clients."

The Houston Rockets hired Lionel Hollins, Mike Batiste and Mahmoud Abdelfattah on Stephen Silas' coaching staff, reported Mark Berman of Fox 26.

Abdelfattah lead the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Houston's G League team, to the 2022 title. 

The Houston Rockets announced they have signed free agent rookie guard Trevor Hudgins to a two-way contract.

Hudgins (6-0, 180) was eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft following his redshirt senior season at Division II’s Northwest Missouri State.  He led the Bearcats to three Division II championships and an overall record of 131-8, including a perfect 38-0 mark during his freshman season in 2018-19. 

For his career, Hudgins averaged 20.4 points, 5.0 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals while shooting 51.7% from the floor, 46.5% from 3-point range and 87.8% from the line.  He was named NABC Division II Player of the Year as both a junior and a senior, becoming the fourth Division II player to have won the award in consecutive years.