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A Guide To The Deadline: Buying Or Selling The Biggest NBA Trade Rumors

By Jon Shames

Feb 12, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) works against New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Sacramento Kings defeat the New York Knicks 106-101 in OT. Mandatory Credit: Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) works against New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Sacramento Kings defeat the New York Knicks 106-101 in OT. Mandatory Credit: Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 30, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) walks off the court after being ejected during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Toyota Center. The Wizards won 123-122. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) walks off the court after being ejected during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Toyota Center. The Wizards won 123-122. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Dwight Howard – Houston Rockets

On Feb. 3, ESPN reported that the Houston Rockets were not going to trade Dwight Howard.

"The Houston Rockets are approaching the upcoming trade deadline with the intent to keep center Dwight Howard for the rest of the season, according to sources familiar with the team’s plans."

Apparently, though, in the past eight days, something has changed for Houston. Thursday afternoon, The Vertical’s Adrian Woj reported that Houston had started to contact teams about Dwight Howard, actively shopping their star big man:

"The Houston Rockets have started contacting teams about trading eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard, league sources told The Vertical. Howard, 30, plans to exercise an opt-out in his contract this summer to become an unrestricted free agent, and uncertainty surrounding the commitment both sides are willing to make has pushed Houston general manager Daryl Morey toward seeking potential trades on the market, league sources said."

Much like Horford, Houston is concerned that they won’t be able to retain Dwight after the season, when he is expected to opt out of his current deal. Howard, 30, will be seeking one final max deal while his production level is still moderately high.

The Rockets have been a defensive train wreck this year, surrendering the second-most points in the league, only behind the Sacramento Kings. Howard, brought in to anchor a shoddy defense, hasn’t delivered as a defensive force in the paint. He is averaging 1.5 blocks per game on the season, but just 0.9 per game in his last 10.

Related Story: NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Landing Spots For Dwight Howard

Houston is a team with no defensive accountability, and the culture has been cancerous for Howard, who had attitude issues from the start. Unfortunately, his value is at an all-time low. His ability to opt out damages his trade value even further.

There are certainly teams that would take the gamble on Howard, but there is no guarantee that the return would be all that high. Still, if the Rockets are actively shopping him now, we can expect a deal to go down in the next seven days.

Verdict: Buy

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