Rockets reportedly looking to trade Dwight Howard

It appears the days of Dwight Howard as a member of the Houston Rockets are coming to a close. Howard was signed by the Rockets in the summer of 2013 for four seasons, and seemed to be making real progress last year, when the team reached the Western Conference Finals.

Howard is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in the National Basketball Association, but is he worth the problems he consistently runs into. Howard constantly seems to be a player who0 can never find happiness or cohesion with his teammates, already on his third team at the age of 30, having played 11 years in the league.

At this juncture of his career, Howard is averaging 14.6 points and 12 rebounds per game. He is no longer dominant but continues to be a difference on both ends of the court. Yet, Houston seems hellbent on dealing him and ridding themselves of a contract that sees Howard due $23.282 million in 2016-17, the final year of his deal.

For Howard’s part, it appears that his agent, Dan Fegan, is not trying to get Howard dealt from the team, despite reports to the contrary. Here’s what Fegan released in a statement, per ESPN:

“I’m not privy to what the Rockets are doing or not doing with respect to Dwight Howard. What I can say, with 100 percent certainty, is that Dwight has not and has never asked the Rockets for a trade. And neither have I.” ‎

ESPN’s Marc Stein was able to reach Howard, who said the following about his agent’s statement.

“Dan’s statement is true. 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.”

At 27-28, the Rockets are not going to do anything in the playoffs this season, should they even make it. There is a very good chance that Houston would play either the Golden State Warriors or San Antonio Spurs, two teams that have not lost a single game at home.

Houston has a litany of issues, chief among them James Harden not playing an ounce of defense. With a leader like that, the Rockets will be hard-pressed to ever win something substantial. Moving on from Howard might be the right thing to do for general manager Daryl Morey if it means bringing back young players and cheap assets.

The Rockets have to make a decision now on whether this team can add a piece or two at the trade deadline and compete, or if the team needs to be blown up. It’s a tough call for Morey, and time is running out.