The Houston Rockets are expected to make a big push for Dwight Howard in free agency. In preparation to court the All-Star center, Houston is in "advanced talks" to clear cap-room by trading Thomas Robinson, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Although Robinson's contract costs only $3.5 million next year, Houston is anxious to move the forward to create additional cap-room for the potential acquisition this summer of Howard. Trading Robinson is "imminent," according to Feigen's source.
The Rockets want to move Robinson without accruing new contracts. There's currently 16 teams with either the cap room, trade exceptions or non-guaranteed contracts than can trade with Houston.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have some available cap room, and they have two first and second round draft picks. The Chicago Bulls are another option because of their trade exception, which expires next month. The San Antonio Spurs are said to be interested in Robinson, but would likely need a third team involved to make the deal happen.
Robinson, the fifth overall pick of the 2012 NBA draft, averaged only 4.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 15 minutes per game, but has upside.
Houston prefers to keep Robinson until the extra cap room becomes necessary to sign Howard, who becomes a free agent on July 1. The Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Rockets are presumed to be the biggest frontrunners for Howard.
The Lakers could amnesty Metta World Peace, who chose on Tuesday not to opt out of his contract, to make room for Howard if the center decides to stay. Howard, however, is rumored to strongly want to play with friend and soon-to-be free agent Chris Paul, although only the Hawks appear able to sign both players. Paul will likely also stay with the Clippers now, given the probable acquisition of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers.
