Report: Houston Rockets discussing trading Dwight Howard at deadline

The Houston Rockets have initiated trade conversations with other teams regarding center Dwight Howard ahead of the Feb. 18 trade deadline, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.

The team is working with Howard’s agent Dan Fegan to make a deal happen, according to the report.

The eight-time NBA All-Star is expected to hit the free agent market this summer by exercising an opt-out clause in his contract. Howard would likely seek a maximum contract from potential suitors.

• MAHONEY: NBA trade deadline preview—Who is the likeliest to move?

Howard is averaging 14.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game so far this season.

Howard is in his third year with the Rockets after one season with the Los Angeles Lakers and eight years with the Orlando Magic.

Photos: See classic shots of Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard Through the Years

Dwight Howard

1986

Dwight Howard

circa 1996

Dwight Howard

July 11, 2003 — Adidas ABCD Camp

Josh Smith, Dwight Howard, and Randolph Morris

July 27, 2003 — AAU Basketball

Dwight Howard and Joakim Noah

March 24, 2004 — EA Sports Roundball Classic

Dwight Howard

June 8, 2004

Dwight Howard

June 8, 2004

Candace Parker and Dwight Howard

July 14, 2004 — ESPY Awards

Dwight Howard

Aug. 2, 2004

Dwight Howard

Aug. 2, 2004

Dwight Howard

Aug. 2, 2004

Dwight Howard and Grant Hill

Feb. 17, 2005

Dwight Howard

Oct. 5, 2005

Dwight Howard

Nov. 29, 2005

Dwight Howard

Nov. 29, 2005

Dwight Howard

Nov. 29, 2005

Dwight Howard

Nov. 29, 2005

Dwight Howard

Dec. 8, 2005

Dwight Howard

Dec. 8, 2005

Dwight Howard and Brian Hill

Dec. 8, 2005

Dwight Howard

May 25, 2006

Patrick Ewing and Dwight Howard

Nov. 23, 2007

Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson

Sept. 29, 2008

Dwight Howard

March 4, 2009

Dwight Howard

March 4, 2009

Dwight Howard and Venus Williams

July 11, 2009 — EA Sports King of the Court competition

Venus Williams and Dwight Howard

July 11, 2009 — EA Sports King of the Court competition

Dwight Howard

Aug. 13, 2009

Dwight Howard

Aug. 25, 2009

Kevin Love, Cole Sprouse, Dylan Sprouse and Dwight Howard

July 2, 2010 — "The Suite Life on Deck" episode

Dwight Howard

June 20, 2011 — 'El Hormiguero' TV show

Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant

Feb. 26, 2012 — NBA All-Star Game

Steve Nash and Dwight Howard

Oct. 9, 2012

Dwight Howard

Feb. 14, 2013

Jay-Z and Dwight Howard

Feb. 17, 2013 — NBA All-Star Game

Dwight Howard and Wu Jingyu

Aug. 25, 2013

Dwight Howard, Jake Short, Paris Berelc and Bradley Steven Perry

Aug. 29, 2013 — "Mighty Med" episode

Dwight Howard and Robert Covington

Oct. 26, 2013 — Chandler Parson's 25th Birthday

Dwight Howard and Ludacris

Aug. 28, 2014 — Bowling For A Cause

Dwight Howard and Laura Govan

Aug. 31, 2014 — LUDA vs YMCMB celebrity basketball game

Thomas Lennon, Dwight Howard and Matthew Perry

Sept. 9, 2014 — "The Odd Couple" episode

Dwight Howard

Sept. 29, 2014 — Houston Rockets Media Day

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Dwight Howard

Oct. 28, 2014

Dwight Howard

July 10, 2015 — Comic-Con International

Dwight Howard

Sept. 11, 2015

Dwight Howard

Sept. 28, 2015

Dwight Howard

Sept. 28, 2015

Dwight Howard and James Harden

Oct. 3, 2015 — UFC 192: Eye v Pena

Denzel Washington and Dwight Howard

Dec. 17, 2015

Dwight Howard

Sept. 26, 2016

The Rockets are 27–28 heading into the All-Star Break.