Dwight Howard Could Move Before Deadline; Rockets Talking To Heat

Two centers that are impacting their teams are allegedly involved in talks that would see them switch places; these are the Houston Rockets’ Dwight Howard and Miami Heat’s Hassan Whiteside.

He’s in the third season of a four-year, $87.6 million contract that has a player opt-out after the 2015-16 season…an opt-out that’s expected to be used despite his production being down and his past history of back issues. Anything that makes it harder to retain him next summer, when he becomes an unrestricted free agent, would feel like a setback.

SB Nation noted that Howard to the Hornets would be a better fit “than most expect” as he would be a “significant upgrade” over Charlotte’s starting big men of Cody Zeller and Spencer Hawes and is also a better pick-and-roll threat than the injured Al Jefferson. With a new and consistent dominant force playing down-low, Howard can bring the same presence that Hassan Whiteside has been bringing to the paint this whole season.

Charlotte (27-26) now holds the eight spot in the Eastern Conference, but faces a crowded competition to secure a postseason berth at the end of the year. They fired Kevin McHale as head coach after only eleven games into the season.

Cleveland reportedly would deal Love to the Celtics in a three-team blockbuster, with Anthony going to the Cavaliers – provided he waives his no-trade clause – and the Knicks getting draft picks. In Miami, Howard would be utilized heavily as Wade and Bosh need more help.

Howard has denied all of those rumors but it’s clear as to why there would some dysfunction between the two stars especially when Howard was the first option with the Orlando Magic where he began his National Basketball Association career.

If it was simply a matter of rolling the dice on someone, the Wizards would be silly not to seriously investigate a trade for Dwight Howard. Since the report of Howard being actively shopped came out Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reported that a trade was unlikely because the Rockets trade talks have just been “exploratory”. However, much like some of the other teams might, they’ve run into a bit of a snag.

There is also the complicated concerns regarding Howard’s contract.

“The question is, ‘Does Atlanta want him?” When he’s healthy, he’s one of the top centers in the league, particularly on defense. Horford plays more a perimeter game, but he goes after it in the post as well. ESPN’s Chris Broussard first reported the Heat’s possible interest in trading Whiteside saying that Miami would make a trade if it could get salary and quality talent in return. A player that will quit in the middle of the season, or just leave the team because he is not bestowed instant gratification is not a player that the Miami Heat should pursue.