NBA Trade Talk: Now Rockets want Dwight Howard, Celtics 'open for business'

After the Grizzlies and the Cavaliers agreed a big five-player trade yesterday, the rest of the NBA is on alert, with the deadline now under a month away. Who could head where?

Here are two of the biggest potential stories right now...

Now the Houston Rockets want Dwight Howard

Last year Dwight Howard was the man we were all talking about, and this year is no different. His 'dream move' from Orlando magic to the LA Lakers has been a big disappointment so far, with D12's free-throw shooting under scrutiny, and the team struggling outside the playoff spots.

So could Howard be heading to another 'dream team'? Earlier this week we reported on former Lakers' legend Magic Johnson's comments that the Dallas Mavericks should try to trade for him.

The Brooklyn Nets are also interested, but the newest name in the mix is the Houston Rockets.

The Rockets 'wowed' the league this year with their off-season signings of Jeremy Lin and James Harden, and it has transformed them. Adding Howard would, conceivably, elevate them even further.

It won't be simple though, they will need to come up with a financial deal better than the $110 million he is due to accrue over five years in LA. Do they have the trade pieces in place to acquire him? Can they afford not to if LA place him on the trading block is another equally pressing question.

Let's watch this one and see how it develops.

Celtics 'open for business'

Coach of the Boston Celtics Doc Rivers said he was ready to 'shake things up' after disappointing results for last year's Eastern Conference finalists, and reports claim they are examining how to do so.

The problem is due to a lack of deep talent, they need to assess how they would do that. They clearly don't want to trade away Paul Pierce or Rajon Rondo.

The players most likely to be traded, potentially as a combination, are Courtney Lee, Brandon Bass, and Jeff Green. If they can find a buyer, then they are in business.

image: © jwcoke

Dan Coombs

@hitcdancoombsGoogle+more stories from Dan Coombs

Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.

As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.

He grew up wanting to be a Formula 1 driver, but it looks like this dream has passed him by. Instead, he hopes you enjoy reading his writing on our site, as we seek to debate the day's sporting hot topics.