Dwight Howard trade rumors: Rockets looking to make a deal?

Will the Houston Rockets trade Dwight Howard?

We are just a few weeks away from the NBA trade deadline, which means we’re going to start hearing names floated out there in the rumor mill that might boarder on insanity. Then again, you can never say never at the NBA trade deadline, and even names like Dwight Howard are worth watching at this point.

Howard isn’t the lockdown stud he once was, as it’s been years since he was as effective as he could be. You have to go back to his Orlando Magic days to really get an idea of Superman, but is that really a reason to cut bait if you’re Houston?

According to Basketball Insiders, Rockets are pretty dug in over the idea of not trading Dwight Howard unless some insane offer comes their way.

"As much as Dwight Howard’s name was kicked around earlier in the season, league sources continue to say that Houston is not looking at Howard trades and that the odds of Howard being moved are so incredibly small it’s not worth exploring."

This isn’t to say that the Rockets aren’t going to listen if someone like Carmelo Anthony is offered up in a deal — but the chances of that happening are pretty slim. Houston is probably best off holding into Howard through the deadline, as the return they’d get for their center isn’t likely to be very high.

It all comes down to the return that Houston would get for Howard. If they could move his contract and get something decent in return that makes them a better title contender, then there’s no reason to say no to that deal. But short of getting Kevin Durant or a young star like Andrew Wiggins or D’Angelo Russell, there’s no way the Rockets are making a deal. Considering that none of those three players are even remotely on the trade block, expect Howard to stay in Houston through the deadline.