The Houston Rockets may look at a trade to upgrade at point guard at the trading deadline, as names like Goran Dragic, Reggie Jackson, Deron Williams or Jose Calderon could be available and this comes as the team is dealing with a Dwight Howard injury and are looking to add depth with Patrick Beverley on the roster for James Harden as the team makes a playoff run.
The Rockets have been one of the most impressive teams in the west this season and they are second in their division behind the Memphis Grizzlies. According to ESPN.com, the Rockets are dealing with an injury to Dwight Howard and there is a chance that he could be out for an extended period of time. Howard is dealing with knee and ankle injuries right now and while he doesn't need surgery, Yahoo Sports reports that he could be out for at least two to three weeks while dealing with those injuries.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Marc Stein writes that the Rockets are interested in making a trade for another point guard, as they want some support behind or alongside Patrick Beverley. The team tried to trade for Rajon Rondo before he was moved to the Dallas Mavericks and that could lead the team to look at other players. Goran Dragic has been identified as a potential option in free agency and the Rockets could look at signing him away from the Suns or trade for him now.
The Rockets also could look at Jose Calderon or Norris Cole, as both of those players have been shopped this season by their teams. Jackson is likely going to get traded and according to Pro Basketball Talk, the Thunder nearly moved him to the Denver Nuggets. Jackson has not been getting much playing time since the Dion Waiters trade and he could get moved since he is heading into restricted free agency. Jackson is averaging 13 points with four rebounds and four assists per game this season, but his numbers have been way down since the Waiters trade.
The team was ranked in the top 10 in defense by points allowed for most of the season, but they have dipped to 12 recently. The Rockets have played much better defense this season than last year and that has made a major impact for the team this year. Howard and Harden have played well with each other and the team is hoping Howard can get back quickly. The Rockets come into the weekend at 32-14 on the season and they are on track to finish with a better record than last year.
The team is ranked seventh in the league in scoring with 102 points per game and they have been allowing less than 99 points per game. Harden has the offense running with brilliance and Josh Smith has started to find his role with the team and that could help soften the blow of losing Howard for a few weeks. The Rockets have been playing much better on defense and they come into the weekend after a win against the Mavericks and they will next play the Celtics and the Pistons on the schedule.