Rumors about Dwight Howard’s future with the Houston Rockets seem to change almost daily.
Last week, a report stated the odds of Houston trading him were “incredibly small.” On Wednesday, it was reported the Boston Celtics had “engaged” in trade talks involving Howard.
Now, it appears the Rockets won’t trade the veteran center, and will instead pursue the best free agent this summer in Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, assuming he hits the open market.
ESPN’s Calvin Watkins and Marc Stein reported Wednesday, citing sources, that Houston is “not looking to trade Howard before the Feb. 18 deadline even though he has the right to become a free agent July 1 and could thus leave the team this summer without receiving anything in return.”
The report adds: “The Rockets’ grand plan, sources said this week, remains making an all-out pursuit in free agency this summer for Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant. Rockets officials have long believed privately that they will have as good a chance as any team to lure Durant away from the Thunder in the offseason because of his strong relationship with former teammate James Harden and the room Houston has to pay Durant max-contract money while also re-signing Howard.”
A Big 3 of Durant, Harden and Howard would be incredible. Houston would have two elite scorers and one of the best rim-protecting centers in the league, one who also can chip in between 10 to 15 points per game.
The challenge for the Rockets in that scenario would be filling out the rest of the roster with quality role players. This situation becomes a lot more difficult if they’re not willing to go into the luxury tax. The Miami Heat from 2011 through 2014 and the Boston Celtics from 2008 through 2010 were able to surround their Big 3 with enough depth to compete for and win a championship.
It’s not easy, though, just look at the Chris Paul-era Los Angeles Clippers or LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers. These teams haven’t figured out how to surround their superstar core with the right role players.
Houston might not be successful in its reported plan to pursue Durant. They certainly won’t be alone in their interest in the former league MVP if he leaves OKC and becomes a free agent.
But it’s not a bad plan, either.
The defending champion Golden State Warriors have an excellent young team that could form a dynasty if injuries don’t derail their success. Houston forming a Durant-Harden-Howard trio wouldn’t be a bad counter to Golden State.
Thumbnail photo via Mark D. Smith/USA TODAY Sports Images
