Dwight Howard and Hassan Whiteside (Photo : Getty Images)
There are rumors that Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard could be heading to the Miami Heat before the trade deadline.
Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops was told by multiple league sources that Howard is "extremely unhappy" with the Rockets, which could signal the exit of Superman in Houston.
"Dwight Howard is extremely unhappy in Houston playing second fiddle to alpha dog James Harden, multiple league sources tell SheridanHoops.com," Sheridan disclosed.
"And with the Rockets underachieving more than any NBA team, look for them to try to move Howard later this season."
Sheridan's prediction is based around the Heat possibly trading Whiteside to the Sacramento Kings for DeMarcus Cousins. But with the Kings unlikely to move Boogie, trading Whiteside for Howard looks like a viable plan for the Heat.
Howard is averaging 13.0 points, his lowest since his rookie year, and 12 rebounds per game. Howard appears to be underutilized by Houston as he only gets limited touches down the paint.
Sheridan noted that Howard is only the sixth option to score in the Rockets as he falls behind to the likes of Harden, Trevor Ariza, Marcus Thornton, Corey Brewer, and Terrence Jones.
Sheridan believes trading Howard to the Heat "makes so much sense" for both teams.
The Rockets are struggling to find their winning ways in the 2015-2016 NBA regular season as they sit seventh in the Western Conference with a 12-13 record.
With the Rockets continuous struggle to exert contributions from their summer acquisitions and role players, the franchise could be forced to deal away Howard or other tradable assets to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Moreover, Howard is only on the third year of his four-year $88 million contract with the Rockets. However, he has a player option next year, which many expect him to exercise considering the amount of money Howard could make when NBA's new TV deal kicks in.
On the other hand, the Heat gets another superstar in Howard, instantly making Miami, once again, an NBA title contender.
As noted by Sheridan, Howard would be to being an alpha dog for the first time since leaving the Orlando Magic after the 2011-2012 season.
He could play alongside Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade and still become the Heat's superstar.
Meanwhile, Whiteside would bring youth and athleticism in the Rockets frontcourt. His rim protecting skills would also come very handily for the Rockets, who have been lacking defensive intensity at the frontcourt.
In one of Sheridan's proposed deal that was approved by ESPN's Trade Machine, the Rockets would send Howard, KJ McDaniels, Sam Dekker, and Jason Terry, while the Heat ships Whiteside, Luol Deng, Josh McRoberts, Chris Andersen, and Justise Winslow.
The Rockets would get some defensive help on the wing in Winslow and quality bigs in Andersen and McRoberts. The Heat then receives an athletic wing in McDaniels.
However, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that there is "absolutely nothing" to the report linking Howard to Miami.
But with the trade deadline nearing, it is possible fans see these teams go at it on shopping their tradable assets.
