In their attempt to lure All-Star Dwight Howard out of Los Angeles, the Houston Rockets now have the ability to offer a four-year $88 million max contract deal after shedding the contract of Thomas Robinson in a trade with the Portland Trailblazers over the weekend.
The Rockets traded Robinson to Portland for two future second-round picks and the rights to European players Kostas Papanikolaou and Marko Todorovic.
"I got the news a couple of minutes ago," Robinson told FOX 26 in Houston. "I'm excited for Portland to give me a chance.
"Hopefully I'll be given a chance to show that I'm worthy of staying put."
Houston also waived the contracts of veterans Aaron Brooks and Carlos Delfino earlier on Sunday to clear more space in their salary-cap.
Delfino averaged 10.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 67 games last season. It was his first year with the Rockets after spending three seasons in Milwaukee.
Brooks played in just seven games for Houston last season when the Rockets signed him after he was released by Sacramento. It was his second stint with the team after playing for Houston from 2007-11.
This trade comes just days after rumors of Howard leaving the Lakers appeared certain after saying he has not asked for coach Mike D'Antoni to be fired.
Howard has voiced his disapproval of D'Antoni's system earlier this week and there's been reported times of how the two have clashed several times through the media about D'Antoni's misuse of Howard in his system.
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