Report: Celtics have talked with Rockets about Dwight Howard trade

The Boston Celtics have talked with the Houston Rockets about a potential Dwight Howard trade, according to a report.

The New York Daily News’ Frank Isola reports that the C’s have “engaged” the Rockets in talks about a possible deal, though nothing has materialized yet.

Howard, 30, has a $23.2 million player option for next season which he can decline in favor of a larger long-term deal. That seems likely for the big man, who has been troubled by back problems in the past.

Knowing that Howard has a strong likelihood of opting out after the season, trading for him would be a big gamble. Would a team be willing to give up assets for someone who will only be around to help them for a few months?

The Celtics are currently the fourth-seeded team in the Eastern Conference, so maybe they feel getting a difference-maker like Howard could potentially propel them to the conference finals or further. They would have to weigh whether giving up assets would be worth renting a player like that. It’s also possible that GM Danny Ainge, known for being quite a wheeler and dealer, was just trying to check and see what the asking price for Howard is.

A report in December said Howard was unhappy with his role in Houston, which he of course denied. That alone is enough reason for a savvy GM to send out a feeler, which it sounds like Ainge has done.