NBA Trade Rumors 2016: Houston, Miami Talking Over Dwight Howard-Hassan Whiteside Swap
Just when the NBA trade deadline is just around the corner, teams begin scrambling to not let the opportunities slip away. With only a couple of days left before teams are no longer allowed to swap players, the Houston Rockets and the Miami Heat are reportedly working out on a trade that will send All-Star center Dwight Howard to the Heat in exchange of supremely talented young big man Hassan Whiteside.
If this trade materializes, it definitely will become the biggest for this year, and by looking at the factors involved, it may well be very possible. The 30-year-old Howard is going to be an unrestricted free agent after this season and that fact alone is reason enough for the Rockets to trade him right before the happens. It's no secret he's one of the best big men in the league today, but his health is an ever-growing concern for teams. But because Miami is always on a "win now" mode, they might just be more than willing to send their own promising young big man to Houston.
Houston won't be getting anything valuable if Howard becomes a free agent this summer and there is very little possibility that he'll re-sign with the team. If he goes to Miami, that will be another environment for him, away from James Harden, who some basketball pundits believe is the reason why he's not happy in Houston.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Getting Whiteside to replace Howard might be a crazy idea for some, considering that the 26-year-old is still raw. However, if the Rockets are looking at establishing a better future, they certainly will get it from someone who is loaded with talent and potential. Whiteside is not injury prone like Howard, but the biggest concern for any team interested in him is his attitude and immaturity. Sometimes, he manifests unprofessionalism by way of making bad decisions on the court, but if he gets it straight, he definitely is as effective defensively as Howard. As a matter of fact, he has the potential of becoming a better one with his length and athleticism.
Perhaps the only remaining hindrance to this trade is the fact that there's no way to swap both players straight up. It means the Heat should find another player to make it appear fair. The question is who among the young Miami prospects will join Whiteside in Houston? Or will it be a veteran in the person of Luol Deng?
