Dwight Howard, Dwight Howard trade
Feb 27, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Atlanta Hawks centre Dwight Howard (8) reacts after receiving his second technical foul of the game during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. USA TODAY Sports / Bob DeChiara

Dwight Howard would fetch nothing more than a second-round draft pick and cap relief if the Atlanta Hawks were to trade the big man, according to a new report. Howard is a former eight-time All-Star.

According to ESPN's Kevin Arnovitz, "a poll of 8 NBA front office executives has yielded that -- best case -- the (Atlanta) Hawks could get a 2nd-rounder and cap relief for Dwight Howard." After spending three seasons with the Houston Rockets, Howard joined the Hawks, his hometown franchise, during last year's free agency. The Hawks and Howard agreed to a three-year, US$70.5 million (AU$95 million) contract which will keep the 12-year veteran in Atlanta through the 2018-19 season. There is no Player or Team Option.

Howard averaged only 26.2 minutes per game during Atlanta's 4-2 first-round series defeat against the Washington Wizards in the ongoing 2017 NBA Playoffs. After the series, Howard expressed frustration and let it be known to the media that he wasn't happy with his reduced role. The 31-year-old centre averaged only 8.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game as the Hawks relied on Dennis Schroder and Paul Millsap to carry the bulk of the load.

Can the Atlanta Hawks find a taker for a Dwight Howard trade?

"It was very difficult (to take a back seat). I want to play. I want to be out on the floor. I want to make a difference. I want to make an impact, and I can’t do that on the bench," Howard was quoted as saying by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The report added that Mike Budenholzer, coach of the Hawks, will meet with Howard within the next few weeks to plan ahead for the 2017-18 season.

"It hurts. I’m sure if you wrote the best stories in the world and nobody read your stories and they told you to stop writing and you saw somebody else’s story that wasn’t as good as yours, I’m pretty sure you’d be pissed, too. That’s how it is in basketball," added Howard, who averaged 13.5 points, 12.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists during his 13th season in the NBA.

Budenholzer, who also serves as President of Basketball Operations for the Hawks, addressed the Howard situation during the team's exit interview last week. "It’s not just about Dwight. I understand the questions, I understand Dwight’s frustrations. But offense is about five guys, and Dwight brings a lot to the table that can help us be a good offensive team. All of us have to figure out how to make it better." Stay tuned for the latest NBA Trade News and updates on a potential Dwight Howard trade.