The NBA trade rumors continue with the beleaguered Houston Rockets and the Boston Celtics quest for a big man.
It was recently reported by Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops that Howard was "unhappy" with his role in the Houston Rockets. Apparently, the Rockets are not so thrilled with him as well.
According to ESPN NBA Insider Kevin Pelton, the Rockets have reasons why they are ready to trade their franchise big man.
While it may seem like a stretch at first, Clint Capela is already groomed as the Rockets center of the future. Pelton notes that "Capela's individual stats also suggest a bright future for the second-year player (14.6 points, 12.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks)." Pelton also notes that Capela has started alongside Howard at power forward (as their PFs were injured), something D12 could not do.
If the Rockets could have the center of the future, there is no sense for them to pay the max contract for Dwight, especially at a steep price of over $ 23 million or even higher in the new cap.
A potential deal with the Boston Celtics was mentioned by Pelton.
"David Lee, Tyler Zeller, future first-round pick" is a package that checks out on the ESPN trade machine.
The article states that Lee might just be bought out and get the team under the hard tax level, but what the Rockets want is one of Boston's first round picks. Pelton said "this trade is all about getting one of Boston's huge stockpile of picks to flip in another trade. That could work out like when the Rockets traded Kyle Lowry to the Toronto Raptors for a lottery pick that ended up being a key part of the James Harden deal months later."
It implies that Houston has another trade target using the pick from Boston, possibly a point guard.