NBA Rumors: Houston Rockets Mull Over Dwight Howard, Ty Lawson Trade; Is James Harden In Danger?

By Mitch de Leon
Dwight Howard Houston Rockets
Dwight Howard Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are noticeably absent in the top five teams in the Western Conference this NBA season. Predictably, the Stephen Curry's Golden State Warriors are on top. The Klay Thompson squad is followed by the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Under the Tim Duncan and Kevin Durant teams are the Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks and the Memphis Grizzlies. The current rankings put the James Harden squad below the teams of Blake Griffin, Deron Williams and Mario Chalmers. Despite boasting of a runner-up NBA MVP in the squad and the recent addition of Denver Nuggets star Ty Lawson, the Houston Rockets appear to be failing to fulfill their potential.

"We're all frustrated," said JB Bickerstaff, according to ESPN. The Houston Rockets interim coach added, "Obviously, we're not getting the results that we would like to get. There wasn't a lack of effort. It wasn't a lack of trying. Guys did the right things. We just didn't make the plays when we needed to make the plays, and sometimes that's an offensive or defensive rebound. Sometimes it's a loose ball, those types of things."

When the Houston Rockets traded for Lawson during the NBA offseason, the expectation was for him to assist Harden. That is, the MVP runner-up would have reduced minutes on the hardwood court as the former Denver Nuggets star substitutes for him in making plays. With the recent games, however, no such thing has been happening. Lawson reportedly turned out to be a disappointment regarding establishing a working chemistry with The Beard. Moreover, his legal woes are affecting the NBA team.

Hence, it came as no surprise when rumors surfaced on the Houston Rockets' front office's desire to get rid of Lawson. According to the Real GM, though, the team had no luck in finding a willing basketball squad to take on the newly minted member of the Howard squad. Citing the initial interest of the Sacramento Kings in acquiring Lawson, the site noted that no other NBA team is in need of someone like him. Moreover, the Real GM pointed out that the DeMarcus Cousins squad already has Rajon Rondo to take on the role supposedly eyed for Lawson.

Another Houston Rockets star rumored to be on the trading block is Howard. The former Los Angeles Lakers star has been long speculated to exit the Harden team since he signed with them. According to the rumor mill, one of the most problematic concerns is the working relationship of the center with Khloe Kardashian's boyfriend. Harden is said to be against the signing of Howard as he believes the latter to be not as talented as the media made him out to be.

It remains to be seen if the Houston Rockets will let go of these two stars before the trade deadline in February. As for Harden, rumors are circulating that a growing number of players are getting frustrated with his performance this NBA season. However, no official confirmation has been given on whether he will also be on the trading block soon.

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