The Houston Rockets blanked at trade deadline
As the trade deadline neared, all eyes were on Houston Rockets center, Dwight Howard.
Since 2013, Howard has been a strong force with the Rockets, when he’s healthy that is. Most accredit the move to lack of leadership, lack of heart and the inability to focus.
The Rockets turned down the Charlotte Hornets trade offer for Howard, who remains in Houston after the Feb. 18, 3 p.m. trade deadline.
The Hornets also offered veteran forward Al Jefferson and back-up center Spencer Hawes in place of Howard, league sources told ESPN news. Dan Fegan, Rockets and Howard’s agent, was working hard to make a trade and relocating the all-star center.
Daryl Morey, Rockets general manager, knows how valuable Howard can be for this team and his potential worth on the trade wire. The trade with the Bobcats just didn’t ‘fit the bill.’
After the dust settled with Howard, Detroit nixed a three-player, three-team trade with the Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 15 because of a failed physical exam by one of the Rockets players.
The Rockets were looking to move back-up center, Donatas Motiejunas, and guard, Marcus Thornton, to the Detroit Pistons for their back-up center, Joel Anthony. The Rockets will also receive a protected, first-round pick in the 2016 draft depending on whether or not they make the playoffs this year.
The Rockets would also acquire the draft rights to the Nigerian power forward Chukwudiebere Maduabum from Philadelphia.
Motiejunas, who had undergone back surgery in the off-season, would ultimately void the trade on Feb. 22 after a failed physical exam in New York. Montiejunas was unstoppable in 2015, who led the NBA with over 50 percent accuracy of shots and replaced the ailing Howard who missed most of the season.
The Pistons coach and team president, Stan Van Gundy, said that the trade was lost prior to Montiejunas’ physical.
The Pistons, as a whole, agreed that the deal had to be abandoned. The risk was not worth the reward. Montiejunas only played 17 games this year and has been in-and-out with back stiffness.
Joel Anthony will return to the Pistons Feb. 24 when the team faces Philadelphia at home. Montiejunas and Thornton will return to the Rockets Feb. 23 for an away game against the Jazz in Salt Lake City.
