The Houston Rockets have been the only team to get active during the trading period in the NBA. The team traded for Josh Smith from the Los Angeles Clippers and has since climbed into seventh in the Western Conference. With trade assets still on the roster, the Rockets are eligible to make other moves going forward depending on just how much change they think they need. However, one move that will not be made at the deadline is a deal involving Dwight Howard.
This year has been up and down for Howard. The Rockets slow start to the season brought his future with the franchise into question. Sam Amick of USA Today reported Howard planned to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Rockets which would earn him $23 million and capitalize on the expanding salary caps. Howard would like a max contract that could reach $170 million over five years. The Houston Chronicle then reported Howard was unhappy playing in Houston and had no plans on returning to the Rockets next season. Despite all of that, no trade will be made.
"We're just focused on this season," general manager Daryl Morey said, via the Houston Chronicle. "So is Dwight. If we as a team and he as a player play(s) like we know he's capable and has been this year and was last year, all that stuff takes care of itself. There's no way we make the conference finals last year without Dwight and there's no way are making the solid playoff push this year without Dwight."
The Rockets believe their window for a championship is closing. Because of that they are better with Howard than without him. Steve Kyle of Basketball Insiders reports the Rockets believe a return on Howard would be small at the trade deadline. Teams might be interested, but the trade would not be worth parting ways with the center. The Rockets are more willing to lose Howard for nothing than to trade him, hurt their chances for the playoffs and get a small return on the move.
The statement on Howard's status with the team comes shortly after Morey made it clear Ty Lawson was not going anywhere. As several teams show interest in acquiring a point guard, Lawson's value could go up, but not enough for the Rockets to make a move. If Houston still felt a trade was necessary, Terrence Jones and Corey Brewer are their best assets. The Houston Chronicle reports that the Rockets appear content with their roster after the addition of Smith. The chances that they seek out another trade are slim at this point.
