The 2012–13 Houston Rockets season was the 46th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the 42nd based in Houston.

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.

• June 26: The Rockets trade forward Chase Budinger and their rights to Lior Eliyahu to the Minnesota Timberwolves for their 18th draft pick.
• June 27: Houston trades center Samuel Dalembert and their 14th draft pick to the Milwaukee Bucks for shooting guard Shaun Livingston, small forward Jon Brockman, power forward Jon Leuer, and their 12th draft pick.
• June 28: The 2012 NBA draft takes place at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
• July 1: Free agency has begun.
• July 11: Teams can now sign, trade, and even amnesty players to their liking.
• July 13: Houston uses their amnesty clause on Luis Scola. His rights were received by the Phoenix Suns two days later.
• July 18: Houston officially signs point guard Jeremy Lin, after the New York Knicks decline on matching their offer.
• July 25: Houston officially signs center Ömer Aşık, after the Chicago Bulls decline on matching their offer.
• March 5: Houston sign 09-10 NBA Most Improved Player Award and former Sacramento Kings point guard Aaron Brooks. In addition, Houston waive F Tyler Honeycutt in order to make room for Aaron Brooks.