With the NBA trade deadline 2 weeks away, trade rumors are heating up. The New York Daily News reported on Wednesday that the Celtics had contacted the Houston Rockets regarding the trade availability of their not-so super-star center Dwight Howard. Celtics GM Danny Ainge didn't make much of the rumor when he made his weekly appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher and Rich.
"Right now there's nothing on the table and nothing is imminent. We're just having a lot of discussions in hopes that, come the deadline, we're prepared to make the right decisions."
The Rockets have repeatedly tried to convince the world that Howard is not on the market, but anybody who has paid any attention to the team during the season sees right through those remarks. The team is underachieving greatly, going 26-25 thus far after reaching the Western Conference Finals last year. And let's be honest here, Dwight Howard isn't happy anywhere he goes.
Celtics fans should be crossing their fingers and hoping that Ainge was being truthful when he said that these talks weren't serious. Howard has played for three teams in the NBA, and has been labeled as a "team killer" on every one of them. His first stint came as a member of the Orlando Magic, where his team appeared the NBA Finals, but crumbled soon after after Howard got Head Coach Stan Van Gundy fired, then demanded a trade. The Los Angeles Lakers took the bait agains their better judgement, and were not impressed with the results. Howard instantly clashed with Kobe Bryant, couldn't stay healthy or make his free throws, and left via free agency after the Lakers were swept in the first round of the playoffs. The Houston Rockets took a chance and signed him, so here we are again with Dwight Howard on an underachieving team and being blamed for his teams lack of desire.
One thing that scouts constantly seem to overlook in the NBA, or in any sport, is a players attitude toward life and the sport. The Celtics are filled with hungry, underrated players who feel they have been disrespected. Isaiah Thomas was the last pick (60th overall) in the 2011 draft. He is an all-star now. Kawhi Leonard was drafted 15th overall in that same draft, and now he is an MVP candidate for the San Antonio Spurs. The Celtics need to get acquire more work horses like Thomas or Jae Crowder, instead of guys like Howard who seemingly have no desire to get better and are just out there to collect a pay-check.
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