3 Rockets who benefited most from the trade deadline

The Houston Rockets went into the trade deadline with the expectations of being active buyers. The franchise proclaimed themselves to be ready for postseason play and went out on a shopping spree in free agency, adding Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. 

They also hired Ime Udoka, a coach who has his sights set on guiding the Rockets into the postseason for the first time since 2019-20. The Rockets have blatant holes on the roster and were surely going to addressing them at the trade deadline, right?

Kinda.

Rockets GM Rafael Stone made a move to nab a physically imposing center in Steven Adams, who won't be able to provide any contributions this season. And then the Rockets' brass simply stopped wheeling and dealing. 

To the dismay of their fans. But this wasn't entirely a bad thing, as several players stand to gain from the Rockets' inactivity at the deadline.

3 players who benefit most from the Houston Rockets' inactivity at the trade deadline.

3. Jock Landale 

The Rockets' inability to reel in a reserve center behind Alperen Sengun could be a good thing for Jock Landale, who has been a huge disappointment since his signing (even for someone essentially on a one-year deal). If Landale simply raises his level of play, he'll surely get more minutes, as the Rockets don't have any other actual centers to play.

They lost out on Bismack Biyombo and would be playing Landale out of desperation. A strong stretch of play could help Landale land a role somewhere next season. 

2. Jalen Green 

Heading into the season, many were expecting Jalen Green to have a star-level season. Green trained with many of the league's top stars on Team USA and closed the 2022-23 season out on a high note.

He hasn't quite been consistent and may have lost himself a good amount of currency due to said inconsistency. The Rockets were reportedly willing to deal him for Mikal Bridges, but the Brooklyn Nets simply weren't interested. 

Green could benefit greatly from a strong close to the 2023-24 season and the Rockets desperately need him to play well if they want to be playing in the play-in tournament. This could help Green stabilize his value, and would likely force him to be selfless and potentially accept a role off the bench.

1. Aaron Holiday 

Aaron Holiday has been thrown into a greater role than anticipated, due to injuries. The Rockets were without rookie Amen Thompson for an extended period of time and have been without Fred VanVleet of late, due to an adductor strain. 

Holiday has played 17.9 minutes and has been the Rockets' best shooter, as he's made 40.9 percent of his treys (on 3.1 attempts). Holiday has also made 60 percent true shooting and has been a clutch player for a team in dire need of big-time players, as he even sealed a victory at the charity stripe on Monday's controversial victory over the New York Knicks. (sorry, Ben Stiller).

If Holiday would've been traded somewhere else, he likely wouldn't have had the same value and role that he's had on the Rockets.