Dwight Howard could walk away from the Houston Rockets before this season's trade deadline amid building tensions within the Rockets organization.
The Rockets fired Kevin McHale following a players-only meeting amid the team's poor start into the 2015-2016 NBA regular season.
The meeting was centered on clearing the air and communication within the players as reported by ESPN. But according to Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, one of the center pieces of the players-only meeting was unhappiness with Rockets superstar James Harden and his style of play.
The report revealed that Harden's "aloofness" has frustrated his teammates, with McHale taking the brunt of the issue.
So far, the unfolding of unpleasant events has just started in Houston, but a continuous rise of tension within the players, and the Rockets' early-season woes could involve Howard into another trade saga.
Sports World Report noted that Howard is the Rockets' one and only player to hit free agency and has the chance to opt out of his player option and hit the market.
But the three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year winner may not need to wait until the summer to switch teams, considering how he handles his emotions on such situations.
Howard is also struggling to help the Rockets get some W's. He only averaged 13.8 points in nine games, although his has been controlling the rebound well posting 13.6 per contest.
If Harden continues his lack of defensive effort and his slumping offense, chances are Howard will look for another team where he can be effective and has a legitimate chance to contend for a title.
Dan Feldman of NBC Sports noted that "if Harden defended harder, Houston would have won more, and his teammates would've been happier," and with happier teammates, including Howard, there is no need for a trade before the deadline.
If all goes well Harden and the Rockets through the midseason, Howard would likely stay put in Houston and continue their bid for an NBA championship.