NBA Trade Rumors: Heat, Rockets Discussing Hassan Whiteside-Dwight Howard Swap
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As the NBA trade deadline (Feb. 18) approaches, teams around the league are gearing up for a run at the playoffs. Two potential playoff teams, in particular, appear to be working on what could be the biggest trade heading toward Thursday’s deadline.
According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, the Miami Heat and Houston Rockets are talking about a potential blockbuster deal involving Dwight Howard and Hassan Whiteside:
Dwight Howard could be moved by Thursday's trade deadline. Miami is talking with Houston about a deal that would include Hassan Whiteside.
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) February 15, 2016
With Howard planning on becoming an unrestricted free agent this summer by opting out of his deal with the Rockets, the veteran center has left Houston guessing on whether he’ll leave the team in free agency or re-sign on another long-term deal. Howard’s past, namely leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after one season, likely has the team’s brass nervous about the center bolting once he’s got the chance.
As for the Heat, Whiteside will also become a free agent this summer and will be looking to score a lucrative long-term deal. Although Whiteside has played extremely well in Miami, the team will find it difficult to re-sign him and, therefore, have been seriously considering trading the up-and-comer elsewhere this season.
The biggest problem these two teams face in making a deal involving the two centers is the disparity in salaries. Howard is one of the highest paid players in the league ($22.3 million) while Whiteside’s salary ($981,348) doesn’t even crack one million this season. The Heat will have to add a few other pieces to the deal to make the trade work.
