Written by Randy Miller at NJ.com
The Charlotte Hornets want to add a big piece for a playoff push … apparently without giving up much of anything.
Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard is on the block and there for the taking before the NBA’s 3 p.m. Thursday trade deadline, and so the Hornets reportedly took a shot a getting the eight-time All-Star in a steal.
According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, Charlotte offered reserve centers Al Jefferson & Spencer Hawes for Howard … and was told no by the Rockets.
Go figure.
Howard probably would be a rental for any club because he can opt out of his contract following the 2015-16 season, but the Rockets surely are expecting a bigger return for a future Hall of Famer.
Both teams are in a battle for a playoff spot, although Charlotte aggressively is chasing what would be a rare berth while the Rockets may opt to retool because they’ve sunk to a middle-of-the-pack club in a top-heavy conference.
Charlotte, which has missed the playoffs nine times in the last 11 seasons, was 28-27 and held a half-game lead over Detroit for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East through Feb. 16.
The Rockets were ninth in the West with a 27-28 record that had them 1 ½ games behind Utah for the last spot.
Howard still figures to have a good shot at being moved somewhere Thursday.
Boston is interested, but was feeling Houston’s asking price was too high as of Thursday morning, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported.
His thoughts leading up to deadline day?
He’s in Arizona with the Rockets bracing himself for anything … perhaps a trade or staying put and playing the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.
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