The Houston Rockets are looking to bring a big star on board during the offseason, according to the latest NBA trade rumors. However, it might not be possible with Dwight Howard still on the team.
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was quoted by SiriusXM as saying that the franchise is "ready-made to add another star level player" in the upcoming NBA trade.
According to the site, he could be pertaining to Howard returning to the fold "or someone else." It looks like the team does not have the luxury to have both.
There are tons of NBA trade rumors flying around that Howard will likely part ways with Houston. The addition of Mike D'Antoni as coach was allegedly a move that will seal Howard's exit.
D'Antoni has once already bat heads with Howard, and if they continue working together next season, it will not do any good for the Rockets. There's also the issue of Howard's nonexistent chemistry with his team.
Considering this setup, it is highly likely that the Rockets will make room for a "star level player" by bidding Howard goodbye. Letting go of the Houston center also frees up a 23.3 million cap space.
If Donatas Motiejunas and Terrence Jones also leave the team, this cap shoots up to $40 million, as per The Hoop Doctors. This should be enough to bring in a quality player to the Rockets.
NBA trade rumors link the names of Kevin Durant, Mike Conley and Nicolas Batum as possible replacement for Howard. However, Durant is reportedly uninterested with joining the team.
It has been previously reported that the Rockets is not a franchise Durant is considering to sign up to during the NBA trade even though his good friend James Harden is there.
With regards to the NBA Draft, Morey admitted on Twitter that there's a lot of talent up for grabs. In fact, he said that there are "50 players [with] legit chance [to] make impact in NBA."
