Report: Rockets, Magic ‘Not Active’ on Dwight Howard Trade

Two sources told David Aldridge of NBA.com that trade talks have been suspended between the Magic and Rockets. Aldridge reports that the Rockets want to take on one bad contract from the Magic and give up one of their three first-round picks, a future pick and a veteran—contrary to a recent report that Houston would package various draftees and future picks, and take back multiple bad contracts: “Despite the Houston Rockets using the amnesty provision to waive forward Luis Scola, there was no trade of Howard from Orlando to Houston, and sources briefed on the talks between the two sides said the teams weren’t nearly as close to a trade as many have speculated. That can change in an instant, of course, but late Friday, there was no deal. Talks between the two sides are ‘not active,’ one source said Friday. ‘There’s nothing happening,’ another source said. The Rockets, according to a league source briefed on the discussions, are willing to take one bad contract back from the Magic, not two or three, as has been speculated. And in return, Houston will give up one of the their three first-round picks in last month’s Draft– Jeremy Lamb, Royce White or Terrence Jones –but only one. The Rockets would be willing to send a future draft pick to Orlando –presumably the Lottery-protected first-rounder Houston received this week from Toronto for guard Kyle Lowry — and send a veteran player to the Magic, helping Orlando clear $10 to $15 million worth of cap room, in exchange for the six-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year.”