Houston Rockets do not have Plans to Trade Dwight Howard

With the trade deadline approaching, rumors have surfaced that the Houston Rockets are considering the possibility of trading Dwight Howard.

Despite these rumors, ESPN.com has reported that sources say the Rockets are not ready to part with Howard. Sources added that Howard does not want to be traded and has plans to negotiate with the Rockets when the season is over.

According to the report, the Rockets will be keeping the center for the rest of the season even though Howard will become a free agent on July 1. The sources stated that during the offseason, the Rockets have big plans to pursue Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and re-sign Howard.

Reports had surfaced earlier that the Boston Celtics were very interested in trading for Howard.

Chris Mannix of CSNNE and Sports Illustrated reported that the conversations between the two teams, however, were very short.

"There is validity to the fact that there have been conversations between Houston and Boston. They originated with the Rockets, as sort of a temperature-taking of Danny [Ainge] and what he would give up for Dwight, but the price right now is way too high," Mannix said to 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich on Thursday reported by CBS Local. "From everything I was told, it was a short conversation."

Mannix stated that the asking price ended up being too high for the Celtics.

Howard commented on those rumors after Wednesday's practice, stating that he cannot stop them from spreading.

"I didn't say it, what can I do," Howard said. "There is nothing I can say. Teams are going to say what they have to say. I don't know."

Howard stated that he is focused on his game right now.

"My mind is on trying to get better every day, and I felt like I was on a good stretch and got hurt," Howard said. "Just trying to get back, that's my mindset. We don't sit around and talk about, 'Hey what's going to happen next year?' Because that means you're really not in, and you don't want to have those thoughts."

Howard has been averaging 14.4 points and 11.8 rebounds so far this season.