Pat Sullivan/Associated Press
However, in some cases it's more about unloading an unproductive player or one who does not seem to be a good roster fit. That looks to be the situation with the Houston Rockets, who are reportedly ready to send former All-Star center Dwight Howard packing, per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.
This doesn't appear to be a case where the Rockets are listening to offers coming out of the blue as much as it's a willingness to part ways.
Let's take a deeper look at Howard's situation as we enter All-Star Weekend, as well as a couple other players who could be moving before the deadline.
The 30-year-old Howard has been a force in the NBA ever since averaging a double-double as a rookie during the 2004-05 season. He was an All-Star every season from 2007-2014 and has averaged 18.0 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game for his career.
He's also been hard to get along with.
Howard's former teammates with the Orlando Magic addressed what they said was his lack of leadership after he left (via USA Today), and he had to answer many questions about why he departed the Los Angeles Lakers—including whether he and Kobe Bryant didn't get along.
Now, in the midst of a 27-28 season that has included the firing of head coach Kevin McHale, there were rumblings in December that he wanted of out Houston, per
I haven’t said anything to anybody about anything. People make up lies and rumors. That’s never been my focus. I’m trying to get these guys to play better and get myself to play better.
People are going to say what they got to say to get a story out. People are always going to come up with some rumor and lies. That’s what it is. I can’t focus on that. And I don’t want my teammates to focus on that.
The center is averaging 14.6 points and 12.0 rebounds this season, and Bobby Marks of The Vertical reported the Boston Celtics have the pieces in place to land him.
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Marks noted this would probably keep the Rockets out of the playoffs this season but would give them two more draft picks in addition to what could be a lottery selection. The Celtics are beginning to turn things around under third-year head coach Brad Stevens, and the addition of Howard would make them instant contenders in the East.
As with most rumors, there are two sides, and Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe reported that a Howard-to-Boston deal likely will not take place. There is no telling what will happen, but there also is no doubt this deal would benefit both teams. One thing for sure is that given recent reports—and Howard's past history—don't expect him to be in a Rockets uniform by the end of next week.
The Atlanta Hawks sit at 31-24 as the current No. 4 seed in the East, but it appears two of their star players could be traded before the deadline.
Paul Millsap (averaging 17.7 points) and Al Horford (15.3) are the top-two scorers (and rebounders) for Atlanta, but that hasn't stopped trade rumors from flying.
Alan Hahn of ESPN Radio reported (via Anthony Puccio of Nets Daily) the Brooklyn Nets have contacted the Hawks regarding Millsap. If the Celtics don't land Howard, the 6'10", 245-pound Horford could be another option for them, per Chris Mannix of CSNNE (h/t Jay King ofMassLive.com):
I think Boston; Al Horford is a legitimate possibility for the Celtics. I think that is the guy, one of the guys across the league that Danny Ainge is the most excited about. He is a 4-man that would fit right into what Boston is trying to do. It will cost a lot of money to re-sign him in the offseason, but I think Boston's willing to pay it because they haven't paid a lot of money for players in recent years.
While the Celtics may be a good fit, Mannix also said Atlanta is asking way too much for Horford and his teammate, point guard Jeff Teague:
From everything I’ve been told in the last two or three days, Atlanta’s requests for both Al Horford and Jeff Teague have been borderline ridiculous. The kind of things teams like Boston, or Milwaukee, or Denver simply won’t deal for the players they want.
Things like this tend to cool off though. As we get close to the deadline - when we get to the 17th, when we get to the 18th - that’s when the real horse trading begins. That’s when Danny Ainge will know if Atlanta is really serious about trading Al Horford.
The talk surrounding Millsap has not been as specific, but the three-time All-Star, who is one of the more athletic 4s in the league, would be an attractive option for any team. He addressed the rumors during an All-Star media session Friday, per Kris Willis of Peachtree Hoops :
I mean, I've heard my name in trades for ten years now. I mean, it's something you get used to. I don't get into the what-ifs or where I could be or whatever. I'm at the All-Star right now, and I'm happy with where I'm at and if something was to happen, got to go.
I think some [locker rooms] may be better at doing it. I mean, if it's your first time or you're a young guy and you hear your name come up, it's tough. You never witness this or experience it. But me being here for ten years, I mean, I've heard it all.
As Mannix said, many rumors are swirling at this point, and the ones with little truth will soon fade away. Considering Millsap, Horford andTeague all have been mentioned, and Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Atlanta is listening to offers for all players, expect the team to make at least one big move before the deadline.
Source : http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2616247-nba-trade-rumors-top-reports-surrounding-2016-all-star-weekend
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