The Houston Rockets, one of NBA's most disappointing teams this year, have started to contact teams to trade their veteran center Dwight Howard, according to ESPN News.

According to the website, the Rockets are doing their "due diligence," because Howard's position in the team is uncertain. Howard is expected to bypass his contract this summer to become an unrestricted free agent. The 6'11''  center was supposed to earn $23.3 million for 2016-17 contract in the team, but it might not happen based on the trading rumors.

NBA's trade deadline is on Feb. 18.

Yahoo Sports published that Howard's agent Dan Fegan and the Rockets are now talking about the potential teams who will get Howard, an eight-time All-Star.

For his side, Howard said he did not ask the Rockets to trade him to another team. He stressed that he wants to win with the Rockets for the rest of the season. "I chose this team. And I'm not running because we have been faced with some adversity."

This 2015-16 NBA season, the Houston Rockets has 27-28 win-loss record (as of this post). The team also hired new couch--J. B." Bickerstaff--after Kevin McHale was fired from the position. 

The trade rumors about Howard intensified after the Rockets 116-103 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. In fact, head coach Bickerstaff described the Rockets as "a broken team."

With these trading rumors, it is interesting to review the performance of Dwight Howard in the past season. The center displayed amazing basketball at the half of the 2014-15 season. The Rockets made it to the 2015 Western conference finals to face the Golden State Warriors.

Furthermore, SB Nation reported Howard absolutely wrecked the Mavericks and he was vital in the defensive scheme against the Clippers last season. Howard also brought a unique kind of defensive mindset to Houston that helped the team to win games.

In the current 2015-16, Howard is averaging 14.6 points and 12.0 boards and has played particularly well this month, with averages of 16.5 points and 14.5 rebounds in four games.

In 2013, he signed a four-year deal worth $88 million for the team.

He is now playing his third season with Houston Rockets after one year with the Los Angeles Lakers and eight years with the Orlando Magic. Back in his Orlando days, Howard was a great rim protector. He was averaging 20 points and 14 rebounds per game.