Houston Rockets Trade Rumors: Is Dwight Howard on the Trading Block?
It's typical in the NBA that when a team that's supposed to be winning is losing, someone's going to take the blame. In most cases, that would be the coach. But in the case of Houston, the coach already was given the boot and the problem is they're still losing.
Back in the summer, the Rockets were dreaming big — hoping to finally clinch the West and at least fight for the championship. But after a few games this season, it looks like the Rockets indeed have a problem.
Of course, the blame would be pinned on the players the team relies the most on. For Houston, it has to be James Harden and Dwight Howard, and this is probably the reason why rumors about Howard being placed on the trading block is really not that surprising.
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According to several of those rumors, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year is getting uneasy and unhappy in Houston, a familiar scenario that haunted his stint with the Los Angeles Lakers.
But will the Rockets front office really gamble by trading one of their two best players? It's actually highly unlikely. Why? Since it doesn't really make sense for him to request for a trade or for the team to force in trading him because he has a player option for next season that's worth $23.2 million. With that in mind, the team expects him to instead opt out of his contract and become a free agent. That right there would be the easier direction to follow.
Opting out is also the center's best option available. He's no longer young, and at 30, he will start losing his athletic edge and speed inside the shaded lane. Obviously, he will look for a maximum salary contract, somewhat like an exit strategy for him. The interesting question, though, is if another team will be interested in him.
