The season is best remembered for acquiring All-Star and Sixth Man of the Year James Harden from the Oklahoma City Thunder in a trade.
Along with Harden, the team brought in point guard Jeremy Lin after a magical season with the New York Knicks the prior year and center Omer Asik.
Despite a stellar season from new team captains Harden and Lin, the Rockets only managed to play mediocre basketball all season finishing with a 45–37 record, clinching the number 8 seed in the West.
The Rockets season ended with a first round loss to Harden's former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in six games.
As Houston hosted the 2013 NBA All-Star Game, Harden was the only representative.