NBA Rumors: Latest Updates on Dwight Howard, Nate Robinson and More

The rumor mill never shuts down in the NBA. 

Even while the playoffs are being contested, NBA insiders are busy hitting up their sources, scrounging for any hint of where players will end up via free agency or potential trades.

Right now, the hottest name on the free-agency front is undeniably Dwight Howard, who will certainly generate a max-value contract. Howard isn't the only player whose name is making news right now, however. 

Here's a closer look at the latest rumors being tossed around the web.

Dwight Howard to the Houston Rockets?

According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, Houston is hot to trot for Howard, and the team has received indications that he reciprocates that interest:

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Sources close to the process told ESPN.com that the Rockets have received what has been described as "hopeful signals" that Howard is seriously considering a jump from the Lakers to the Rockets after becoming a free agent July 1.

...sources say that Howard has conveyed his rising interest to Houston star swingman James Harden, a fellow West All-Star. Sources say Howard, furthermore, has already made it clear he'll field in-person recruiting visits from the Rockets and Dallas Mavericks once free agency begins.

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The Rockets have been preparing for this courtship for the past year. 

The franchise made waves when it engineered a trade with the Sacramento Kings for Thomas Robinson—last year's No. 5 overall pick—and two other players, sending Patrick Patterson and two other players to Sacramento. 

However, Robinson isn't expected to remain with the Rockets in 2013-2014. According to a report from Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, Houston is "determined" to trade the former Kansas star and will work to no end in order to shop him before the beginning of free agency.

Houston is preparing to offer Howard a max contract, and given the amount of talent the franchise has acquired of late, he might be tempted to head to Texas next season.

Playing with Jeremy Lin and Rich Harden, Howard would certainly get his opportunities to score off their penetration within the team's offense. Additionally, he and Omer Asik would dominate the glass on both sides of the floor. 

Nate Robinson Isn't Ruling Out a Return to New York

The New York Knicks didn't pay Jeremy Lin last year, and he bolted for Houston to play for the Rockets. New York needs a dynamic point guard to spark its offense—a fact that was all too clear during the team's playoff run. 

Robinson has made his feelings known through his agent that he'd entertain the idea of returning to play for New York after bouncing around the league for the past four years, per Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com: "Nate's first thought would be to remain with the Bulls, but if the Knicks' opportunity presented itself, I am sure he would appreciate an opportunity to play in New York again."

Robinson started his career with the Knicks and his finest season as a pro came in the 2008-2009 season when he scored 17.2 points, dished out 4.1 assists and averaged 1.3 steals per contest. 

Raymond Felton is a serviceable point guard and he's a bit more of a facilitator than Robinson. Should the Knicks decide to make Robinson a favorable offer, it would likely be in the hopes of having him run the second-team offense.

No doubt Robinson would love to stay in Chicago, but with Derrick Rose coming back from his injury and Kirk Hinrich signed on for another year, Robinson's best opportunity to log significant playing time might be with the Knicks.

The Toronto Raptors are Determined to Trade Andrea Bargnani

ESPN's Stein recently divulged new Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri's first order or business. He'll reportedly attempt to shop Bargnani "everywhere he can":

And who can blame him?

The former No. 1 overall pick of the 2006 NBA draft has never lived up to the hype that surrounded him when he came into the league, and he's set to rake in the cash. According to Spotrac.com, the Raptors are on the hook to pay Bargnani over $22 million in the next two years.

Bargnani wasn't an impact player for Toronto last year (or any year, for that matter), scoring 12.7 points and hauling in just 3.7 rebounds per contest. There are literally dozens of players who can give the Raptors that kind of production for a fraction of the cost it'll take to keep Bargnani. 

It's hard to imagine any team would be willing to pay Bargnani as much as he's due to make, considering his lack of dynamic production throughout his career. Therefore, it's hard to imagine Toronto finding a willing trade partner.

That said, stranger things have happened. This story will be interesting to track throughout the next month as Ujiri attempts to conjure up some trade magic. 

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