This was the first season since 2001-02 without Yao Ming, who retired from the NBA on July 9, 2011.
Forward and 3-point specialist Chandler Parsons from Florida was taken with the 38th pick in the second round.
The season is most memorable when ex-Celtic and former Timberwolves general manager Kevin McHale was hired to be their new head coach for the upcoming season.
The Rockets finished with a 34–32 record, missing the playoffs.
Roster Last transaction: 2012–04–06 Due to the 2011 NBA lockout negotiations, the programmed pre-season schedule, along with the first two weeks of the regular season were scrapped, and a two-game pre-season was set for each team once the lockout concluded.