NBA Trade Rumors: Newest Info on Dwight Howard and More Players on Block
Dwight Howard dominates the NBA trade-rumors market like he does the paint.
This isn't anything new. From Howard's days with the Orlando Magic to the Los Angeles Lakers and beyond, he has morphed into the poster boy for trade season and will stand as such again ahead of the February 18 deadline.
Other names dot the market, of course. With teams wanting to shed salary in the hopes of making a splash this summer and other teams wanting to grab a piece that is capable of helping them contend, it's only a matter of time before deals begin to get confirmed through the league office.
With the clock ticking, here are the latest details on Howard and more.
Suns Pursuing Markieff Morris Deal
Shocker alert—the Phoenix Suns still want to deal embattled forward Markieff Morris.
Morris and the Suns haven't gotten along much this year, with the forward going from talking about a trade to getting suspended to quieting down but only averaging 11.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Then there was an odd on-court altercation between Morris and a teammate.
The Suns, sitting on just 14 wins in 14th place in the Western Conference, probably wouldn't mind moving a guy who has had his fair share of issues and would draw plenty of interest on the open market for the right price.
That seems to be the case a few days away from the deadline, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical:
"Suns general manager Ryan McDonough has been pursuing a package that includes a younger player and a first-round pick, league executives said. The Suns are motivated to honor Morris' desire for a trade – and have no intention of bringing him back next season – but teams are starting to think the Suns could hold onto Morris past the Thursday trade deadline without a deal that brings back a player of value with a first-round pick.
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The whole "for the right price" thing certainly comes into play here. Morris is just 26 years old and showed well last year when he played starter minutes at 31.5 per game, averaging 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds, so the Suns have to get something in return for him.
How much would be the question, especially with Wojnarowski noting that the Suns don't plan on bringing him back. If that's the case, why would a team surrender a first-round value if the price could go down this summer, just so the Suns could get anything at all in return for his eventual departure?
The only right answer is that a contender will feel strongly enough about Morris on and off the court to cough up the asking price. It's not impossible, but even the Suns have to know it looks like a long shot.
David Lee's Market
In other shocking news (sarcasm, folks), Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge would like to make a move before the deadline.
Ainge is always one of the most active guys around, which would explain why he sits on the league's most impressive stockpile of trade assets, from draft picks to players and whatever else he could conjure up.
One thing it doesn't sound like Ainge will be able to move, though, is veteran forward David Lee. Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald spoke with a source who explained the situation:
"Lee, who has fallen out of coach Brad Stevens’ rotation, and would welcome a move to a playoff team that has a role for him, is not drawing suitors.
“David Lee was tough for Golden State to move all of last year,” the source said. “And it finally came down to him being moved for Gerald Wallace. David Lee has no value. It’s his contract. David Lee’s value comes in if they get one of these big name players.”
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Long story short, Lee wants playing time with a contender but isn't causing problems about it. Considering he has a cap hit of more than $15 million this year, according to Spotrac, it makes sense that the numbers might prevent a deal.
Lee isn't a bad asset by any means. The Golden State Warriors stopped using him two years ago to get faster and let the guards run, so he joined the Celtics and has received just 15.7 minutes per game this year.
While the Celtics are a strong third in the Eastern Conference, it's clear Lee actually wants to take part in getting a team to the playoffs. Also clear is Ainge's desire to not only make Lee happy but to get something in return for his expiring contract.
Lee is just 32 years old and hasn't exactly being putting a lot of wear and tear on his body these past two seasons. He'll go to free agency this summer and get to choose his destiny for once, which is great, but unless something drastic happens, it sounds like he'll have to be content with this contender for now.
Dwight Howard Blockbuster in the Works?
About Howard.
It seemed a matter of time before D12 hit the block. The Houston Rockets stumbled out of the gates, canning a coach and struggling while James Harden worked his way back from an injury that hobbled his summer of preparation. Now, the Rockets sit in ninth place, searching for answers.
Apparently, the answer involves moving Howard, as Frank Isola of the New York Daily News noted that the Rockets had been on the phone with the Miami Heat:
Adam Spolane of CBS Houston followed with more specifics:
The Rockets and Heat would be the focus here, with both teams seeming to desire a deal for embattled centers.
Howard is now 30 years old and boasts 14.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Those are not terrible numbers, but given that he'll likely opt out in the summer to chase a bigger deal, one that might come with a different team, it makes sense for the Rockets to use the disarray and dashed expectations as an excuse to dangle him now.
Hassan Whiteside is only 26 years old, averaging 12.2 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.9 blocks. He's clearly an elite rim protector, but he's not helping enough on the offensive end of the court and continues to have maturity issues. Most recently, he got hit with a one-game suspension due to an ejection.
Both guys could use a change of scenery, but especially Howard. It's impossible to know where he wants to go, if anywhere. But one has to think that a team that is willing to give up the farm to bring him to town would do so because it believes it will ink him to an extension after he opts out this summer.
Is that Miami? Atlanta? The Howard market isn't as hot as it used to be, but it's there. More revelations about his future will follow in the coming hours, but if he moves, circle that team as one willing to gamble it all for a new centerpiece who may or may not stick around.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
