Jeffries' eye on future

After each game-day's shootaround, Rockets forward Jared Jeffries puts himself through a long session of drills. Before each game, he goes through another workout. He then returns to his place on the inactive list and Rockets bench, waiting for a chance to put the extra work to use somewhere with an eye on next week's trade deadline.

"I got a bigger picture in mind," Jeffries said. "I know the trade deadline is coming up. I know something will be resolved either here or somewhere else. I know this isn't going to be the end of my career. You go through rough stretches in your career, times you wish didn't happen, but I have a bigger picture in mind. I want to play this year and I want to be part of a playoff team in the future."

Jeffries has played in just 18 games this season, and just once in the past 12 games. He said he has not asked for a trade or discussed a buyout.

"I don't ask for stuff like that," Jeffries said. "I control what I can control. I can control how good a shape I'm in, what I do and my mindset."