The Houston Rockets has been linked to several trade rumours as the team continues their struggle in the 2015-2016 NBA regular season. One of the Rockets’ core roster who is gaining steam in the rumour mill is All-Star center Dwight Howard, who was reported “unhappy” in Houston.

Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops reported last week that Houston is about to get hit by Dwightmare 3.0, revealing that Howard is not happy playing second fiddle to the Rockets franchise player James Harden. While Howard has strongly denied any speculations about his unhappiness with the Rockets, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year is still a trade topic from several media outlets.

In a proposed deal from Fox Sports, the Rockets send Howard, Montrezl Harrell, a 2018-first round pick and a 2016 second round pick for Brook Lopez and Bojan Bogdanovic of the Brooklyn Nets.

Another trade scenario from Chris Crouse of Hoops Rumors also includes Howard and Lopez as the main pieces of a blockbuster deal. In Crouse’s proposal, the Rockets would send Howard, Ty Lawson, and Corey Brewer to the Nets for Joe Johnson and Lopez.

“The Rockets should attempt to trade both Howard and Lawson and build a new team around James Harden,” Crouse wrote. “The Nets were on Howard’s list of suitors when he was pushing for a trade from the Magic back in 2011 and while it’s unclear if Brooklyn remains a preferable destination, GM Billy King has the pieces to make a logical trade.”

According to Randy Miller of NJ, Howard, despite downplaying speculations about his status with the Rockets, is still expendable because of his contract situation. Howard has expressed interest to opt out of the final year of his four-year $87.6 million contract with the Rockets, and that alone is enough reason to trade “Superman.”

“A big reason why Howard is a strong candidate to be traded is that he can get out of the final season of his four-year, $87.6 million contract after this season become a free agent,” Randy Miller of NJ wrote.

However, there is no way Howard would instantly convert the Nets into a contender this season, but getting him would help the franchise clear cap-space for next summer’s free agency, giving Brooklyn a chance to instantly reset their roster. Meanwhile, the Rockets would get a young center in Lopez, who could anchor the team’s interior defense and inside scoring, creating a “more lethal duo” with Harden.

There is no official confirmation yet from Rockets general manager Daryl Morey about any intentions of putting Howard on the trading block. But if the right pieces are involved, the Rockets could be enticed to trade away their soon-to-be free agent big man.

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