Atlanta Hawks Trade Cody Zeller to Houston Rockets, Clear Luxury Tax

In a significant trade on February 6, 2025, the Atlanta Hawks have sent veteran center Cody Zeller to the Houston Rockets. This trade comes as the Hawks aim to reduce their salary expenses and drop below the luxury tax threshold. As part of the deal, the Hawks also relinquish their 2028 second-round draft pick to the Rockets. This transaction is aimed at financial flexibility for Atlanta, as Zeller is on an expiring contract potentially worth $3.5 million this season.

The Rockets are absorbing Zeller's contract into their non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which allows them to effectively acquire a future second-round pick while managing their salary cap. In his NBA career spanning over 11 seasons, Zeller has averaged 7.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He was drafted fourth overall in the 2013 NBA Draft and has played for teams like the Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat, but has not yet appeared in a game this season with the Hawks.

• Trade Details:
• Participants: Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets
• Players Involved: Cody Zeller (to Rockets)
• Picks Involved: 2028 second-round draft pick (to Rockets)
• Cap Impact: Enables Hawks to drop below luxury tax

Before this trade, the Hawks faced a challenge in managing their roster and salary commitments. Zeller's move is part of a broader strategy as the Hawks look to reconfigure their team following multiple trades, including significant moves involving players like Bogdan Bogdanovic and De'Andre Hunter. The Houston Rockets will now need to make room on their roster to accommodate Zeller's addition, marking a new chapter in his career.