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Report: Dwight Howard Trade Being Reworked by Rockets, Who Would Take on More Long-Term Salary

The Houston Rockets have long been considered a potential suitor for Dwight Howard as the Orlando Magic look to deal the disgruntled center, and they're reportedly ramping up their efforts to obtain the six-time All-Star.

The Rockets have reconstructed their trade proposal for Howard, vowing to take back more long-term salary from the Magic than before, according to ESPN.com. The hope is reportedly that this will convince Orlando to deal Howard directly to Houston.

The Rockets are reportedly prepared to absorb the contracts of Jason Richardson, Glen Davis and Chris Duhon while sending multiple first-round picks and recent draftees to the Magic. In order to facilitate such a deal, Houston is believed to be using the amnesty clause to release Luis Scola. The Rockets reportedly believe that upon doing that they will be able to take on some combination of Richardson, Davis, Duhon and Hedo Turkoglu.

There's been plenty of trade speculation in recent weeks, but some of it has centered around deals involving more than two teams. One such rumored trade included Howard going to the Lakers and Andrew Bynum ending up with the Rockets, but that's a backup plan for Houston, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.

Clearly, Howard is the guy the Rockets covet. It looks like they may stop at nothing to land him.

Photo via Flickr/Keith Allison

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