The Houston Rockets announced last week that they are pursuing potential trades for their All-Star center Dwight Howard. Curiously, the pronouncement came as soon as the meeting between the club's management, James Harden, and Howard had finished.

There were no official reports of what had been said by all the parties during the pivotal meeting, but Howard, and his agent Dan Fegan, had told reporters ever since that the eight-time NBA All-Star is not requesting to be moved elsewhere and that he wants to stay and "make the situation work" in Houston.

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Harden has also said the same. He told the media that he wants "to make it work" with Howard and they both want to salvage what looks like another lost season in terms of having the chance to compete for the championship.

However, the ball will always be in the Rockets' hands and, ultimately, team officials will get the final say whether Howard goes or stays.

SB Nation indicated that the loudest trade rumor involving Howard right now is the speculated discussion with the Boston Celtics.

It was said in the article that the 30-year-old 2004 first overall NBA draft pick could be dealt to Boston in exchange for what is "some combination of David Lee, Jonas Jerebko or Marcus Smart, along with two of the four (yes four!) first round draft picks the Celtics hold for 2016".

The trade scenario has actually been discussed earlier in the season, according to reports, but the Celtics are just unwilling "to give up the necessary pieces" and so the deal was never pushed through.

With the trade deadline just days away, it is highly possible that Houston may lower their asking price for the three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year who seems to be playing with no passion for the Rockets this season.

A recent report by CBS Sports noted that the chance of Howard being traded is currently "waning" as the deadline draws near, perhaps because Houston has reportedly not received any "overwhelming offer" for who was back then considered a franchise player.

The report said that the lack of interest from other teams has "surprised" the Rockets and is indicative of the player Howard has become and his current market value.

TagsNBA Trade Rumors, Celtics Trade Rumors, Boston Celtics, houston rockets, Dwight Howard