Every year at the NBA trade deadline, the Boston Celtics are rumored to get very active. The tam is well equipped to make big moves this time of year considering their stock of draft picks and assets on the roster. So far, the Celtics have avoided major deals over the past two years, but that could begin to change as younger players develop. With a few weeks before the deadline approaches, will Boston pull off a big move?
According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, the Celtics and inquired about a price tag of Dwight Howard with the Houston Rockets. The chances this deal happens are slim to none, but the Celtics are asking just in case. Howard has been rumored to be unhappy in Houston and is already planning to opt out of his current contract and test free agency in the upcoming offseason. However, despite all of that the Rockets have not shopped him to the highest bidder.
Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle reports that general manager Daryl Morey believes the Rockets are better off with Howard than without him even if the center plans on leaving this summer. The Rockets are trying to become a contending team in the Western Conference and Morey believes the only way that happens is with Howard on the roster.
"We're just focused on this season," 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 Celtics have been linked to a number of deals this offseason. Sources have placed them at the center of talks for Kevin Love and Al Horford as they try to get an elite name on the roster. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Celtics are willing to trade Jae Crowder, Avery Bradley, David Lee and Tyler Zeller in potential deals if something presents itself. However, the chances are high that they end up staying put at the deadline instead. So far deals for Love and Horford have been denied. The best the Celtics might be able to do is a trade involving Lee and someone like Roy Hibbert. The move is not worth it. The Celtics remain active in the Eastern Conference with their current roster and that might not change.
