Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: Houston Rockets Offer Orlando Magic New Deal

Right as it seemed the Dwight Howard trade rumors were going to die out for a little, after the Orlando Magic said they were going to suspend trade talks (per ESPN), the Houston Rockets have upped the ante a bit, offering the Magic a new, sweeter deal, according to Chad Ford and Marc Stein of ESPN.com.

The new deal includes the Rockets taking more cap space off the Magic's shoulders by taking in the contracts of Glen Davis, Jason Richardson and Chris Duhon, in addition to Howard.

The Magic would get multiple future draft picks, recent players drafted by the Rockets and the cap space to begin the rebuilding process once their star player is out of the picture.

The extra cap space would be created by the Rockets' plan to use the amnesty clause (per USA Today) on power forward Luis Scola, giving Houston an extra $21.6 million to its cap space.

With these new developments, the Rockets appear to be ready to do everything in their power to land Howard, despite doubts that the All-Star center will sign a long-term contract with the franchise.

The Rockets are taking a huge gamble with this latest offer, as even if Howard does end up with the team, he could decide to leave Houston after the 2012-13 season, making the deal for which they have fought so hard a franchise-damaging bust.