Recent NBA trade rumors have mentioned that Rockets All-Star center Dwight Howard could potentially demand a trade out of Houston during midseason as he is said to be "unhappy" at the direction the team is headed and also with the attitude of its best player James Harden.

A fan-made blog called NBA Innovative Coverage noted that "the latest rumor to surface is that Dwight Howard is not satisfied with the direction the Rockets are taking and the attitude of its leader, James Harden."

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Houston is currently in the 11th spot of the Western Conference with a 6-10 record and out of the postseason if the playoffs would start today.

Their last game was an unimpressive 116-114 triumph over winless Philadelphia 76ers at their home court of Toyota Center, snapping their three-game losing skid and Harden getting all the shots with 50 points to boot. The team had lost seven of their last eight games prior to the said victory.

It was also reported that there was a "building tension" between Howard and the Rockets organization that may force the 29-year-old, 11-year vet out of Houston before the February trade deadline, and Harden's behavior is allegedly one of the major reasons of the strain.

NBC Sports' Pro Basketball Talk reported that during the team's widely-publicized "players-only meeting", players have revealed that Harden's "play and aloofness have frustrated" his teammates, which includes most probably even Howard.

Harden's habit of giving uninspired efforts in the defensive end may have been irritating to Howard, who is known throughout his career as one of the league's best defenders.

Basketball Insider's Steve Kyler recently tweeted the "possibility" of Howard being traded this year, although he has not specified which teams may be in the running for the 6-foot-11 behemoth.

If looked at closely, his current situation in Houston is becoming eerily similar to his previous stint with the Lakers, but with Harden playing the role of Kobe Bryant this time around.

TagsNBA Trade Rumors, NBA trade rumors 2015, Houston Rockets rumors, Houston Rockets trade rumors, Dwight Howard