The Houston Rockets have been in search of a superstar player for quite some time now, and though they may have that in the newly acquired James Harden, the team still has hopes of landing a big name this summer.

The Rockets have always had their eyes set on Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard, as their front office is willing to do whatever it can to convince him to leave Hollywood for the Lone Star State.

However, according to Marc Stein of ESPN, sources say the Rockets' preference is to sign Howard, but will pursue Philadelphia's Andrew Bynum and Atlanta's Josh Smith as alternatives.

As they are now, the Rockets have proven to be a very explosive team filled with young players who are continuing to get better. Houston is currently seventh in the Western Conference playoff picture and have already beaten the Lakers twice this season. As the regular season draws closer to an end, the Lakers and Rockets will more than likely be battling each other for playoff positioning.

Although for the Lakers the concern of the Utah Jazz capturing the final eighth spot still looms of the Lakers heads, who's to say if the Rockets make a deeper run in the playoff picture won't sway Howard to their side come this year's off-season.

The Lakers and Rockets play one more in the final game of the regular season, a match that may have serious playoff implications.

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