The Rockets are making moves before Thursday's deadline. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Houston Rockets make headlines with surprising Nets trade
Following a heartbreaking loss to the Nets on Tuesday night, the Rockets have reportedly made a deal with the Celtics to acquire guard Jaden Springer.
The Boston Celtics are trading Jaden Springer and their 2030 second-round pick to the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. Both teams are also exchanging heavily protected second-rounders. pic.twitter.com/rhcmgvvJQo
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2025
Per The Athletic's Kelly Iko, Houston will receive Springer (age 22) along with a 2030 second-round pick in exchange for a Top-55 protected 2031 second-round selection.
Nothing concrete, but Houston is still working the phones between now and Thursday. Other deals potentially in play depending on domino effect around the league. https://t.co/N09Ow62mDO
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 5, 2025
Springer should provide some perimeter defense for the Rockets, but he's not much of a threat on the offensive side of the ball.
He's averaged 2.7 points and grabbed 1.3 rebounds in 8.0 minutes per game over his four-year career.
I like Springer! Damn. (Lux tax, apron, I get it.) Even 3 minutes of Eason, Amen, Springer and Brooks at the same time would be complete chaos defensively. https://t.co/ll8ndSJjfy
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 5, 2025
Celtics fan Bill Simmons was sad to see him go, so that might be something Rockets fans can hang their hats on. He envisions certain situations where Springer, Tari Eason, Amen Thompson, and Dillon Brooks could give teams fits defensively.
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L.J. Cryer scored 18 points, Milos Uzan added 17 points and No. 5 Houston rebounded from its first Big 12 loss of the season with a 72-63 win over Oklahoma State on Tuesday night.
J’Wan Roberts had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Terrance Arceneaux had 10 points for Houston (18-4, 10-1 Big 12), which shot 42% and went 8 of 21 on 3-pointers.
The Cougars lost to Texas Tech 82-81 in overtime on Saturday, and improved to 31-2 after a loss since Feb. 1, 2017.
Abou Ousmane scored 16 points, Arturo Dean added 13 points and Bryce Thompson had 11 points for Oklahoma State (11-11, 3-8), which lost for the fourth time in its last five games.
The Cowboys shot 51% and were 7 of 19 on 3-pointers.
Takeaways
Oklahoma State: The Cowboys missed an opportunity for a marquee win after jumping to an 18-9 lead and opening the game shooting 8 of 10 from the field. Oklahoma State had issues with Houston’s defensive pressure and couldn’t stop the Cougars on the boards.
Houston: Missing second-leading scorer Emanuel Sharp and reserve Ja’Vier Francis, who were out of the lineup with injuries, the Cougars started slowly. However, Houston recovered to make 11 of its final 16 field goals of the first half and take a 39-33 lead into halftime.
Key moment
After Oklahoma State cut Houston’s lead to 68-63 with 30 seconds remaining, Mylik Wilson and Cryer each made two free throws to ice the win.
Key stat
Houston outrebounded Oklahoma State 40-24, including an 18-4 advantage in offensive rebounds, which the Cougars turned into 16 second-chance points.
Up next
Houston travels to Colorado on Saturday. Oklahoma State hosts Arizona State on Sunday.