Dwight Howard has heard the rumors. The Houston Rockets are not meeting expectations this season as they sit 27-28 overall entering the All-Star break. Interim head coach JB Bickerstaff has said Houston is a broken team right now while general manager Daryl Morey has stressed the need for change before the trade deadline. As a result, Howard is being offered in deals that he never asked for.
Howard's Houston career has always been slightly shaky. Entering the season it was reported that Howard planned to opt out of his contract with the Rockets in order to test free agency in 2016 as he did not like his role on the team and playing with James Harden. Morey was quick to deny Howard was available in trades as a result, but now that is no longer the case. ESPN's Chris Broussard is reporting the Rockets are shopping the center while Howard told Marc Stein of ESPN that he hopes to stay put and finish what he started.
"I have not asked the Rockets to trade me, nor have I talked about right trades. I want to win. I want this situation to work. I chose this team. And I'm not running because we have been faced with some adversity," Howard said, via ESPN.com.
Moving Howard is easier said than done. While a number of teams would love to get the center on their roster for a second-half run into the playoffs, the price tag for the center is likely too high. If the Rockets are serious about moving him, they will have to lower their demands on what they can earn in return. Howard has a $23.3 million player option to his name for next season that he will likely opt out of meaning any team that makes a move for him could risk losing him for nothing come the offseason.
The Rockets have other players on the roster gaining trade interest at the deadline. Trevor Ariza is beginning to gain some looks on the open market. According to the Toronto Star, the Raptors would like to acquire Ariza after DeMarre Carroll's injury. Chris Haynes at the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports the Cavaliers would like to add him to the mix. Ariza is averaging 12.3 points and 4.6 rebounds this season. While his defense is messy, teams like his shooting abilities.
Ty Lawson remains a trade piece for the team along with Terrence Jones who keeps gaining interest. If the Rockets want to make a deal, but cannot get one done for Howard, they have other options to explore.
