NBA Rumors: Houston Rockets Eye Dwight Howard Trade; James Harden, Ty Lawson Give Center the Boot?

By Mitch de Leon
Houston Rockets Dwight Howard and Portland Trail Blazers LaMarcus Aldridge
Houston Rockets Dwight Howard and Portland Trail Blazers LaMarcus Aldridge

The Houston Rockets have been struggling to make things right again this season. With a disappointing start, the front office looks into ways of improving the roster. One of the NBA players who may be in trouble with this plan is none other than Dwight Howard. The controversial athlete has been reportedly at odds with the Houston Rockets since his entry in 2013. The rumor mill constantly churned out news that the center might be exiting the James Harden squad once a good deal comes up.

One of the issues of Howard is said to be his inability to stand out in the Houston Rockets locker room. Moreover, his uneasy working relationship with star player Harden is making the team's dynamic wonky. Despite his efforts to forge a bond the Bearded One, it looks like their chemistry still has a long way to go.

"I haven't said nothing to nobody about anything," shared Howard following their loss in the hands of the Sacramento Kings 107-97, according to the Houston Chronicle. The Houston Rockets center added, "I've been positive, trying to turn this thing around any way possible. People are always going to make up lies or rumors to get off. But I haven't said nothing or anything to anybody. That's never been a focus. (It's) to try to get these guys to play better, to make myself play better."

The entry of Ty Lawson in the Houston Rockets locker room also highlighted the persistently rumored rift between Howard and Harden. It is widely believed that Harden has yet to extend a warm welcome to the former Los Angeles Lakers star. Howard reportedly could still not gain the respect and admiration of Harden, thereby making their working dynamic awkward. However, it looks like the center is trying to make things work.

"I chose to go to Houston (via free agency in the summer of 2013), so why would I just say, 'I'm not happy' and leave?" asked Howard, who has been bombarded with trade rumors since he entered the said NBA team, according to USA TODAY Sports. He went on to share, "I chose this place, you know what I'm saying? And I want to make this thing work here. Obviously we haven't been playing great basketball, and personally, for myself my numbers don't seem like I've been playing great, but the only thing on my mind is trying to grow as a man and grow as a teammate and a leader. All the BS that's around, sometimes it is frustrating to hear it because I know who I am as a man and I know what I'm trying to do for this city." 

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