Report: Rockets asked for too much when Shopping Dwight Howard

The Houston Rockets failed to trade Dwight Howard because their asking price was too high.

ESPN.com reported that league sources said the Rockets were very keen on trading Howard right before the All-Star break. The Rockets had discussed trade options with up to seven teams, which included the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and, Milwaukee Bucks. Some of the talks resulted in proposals being passed back and forth.

A trade, however, failed to be made before the Feb. 18 deadline because none of the teams had agreed with the Rockets' asking price. The Rockets reportedly wanted at least one frontline player and first-round pick in a future draft, which teams viewed as too much considering the fact that Howard is going to become an unrestricted free agent in July.

"Many teams called expressing great interest in trading for Dwight," Howard's agent, Dan Fegan, said to ESPN Thursday night. "The obvious stumbling block to a trade was how could a team justify giving up important assets for a player who was about to become a free agent in a few short months?"

Fegan added, "Not surprisingly, as the deadline approached, several teams called stating they had worked out the trade parameters with Houston for a Dwight deal but were not prepared to give up their assets unless Dwight agreed to opt into the last year of his contract and forego free agency. Dwight declined."

Howard has stated that he is focused on helping the Rockets make it to the playoffs. He has averaged 14.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks so far this season.

The Rockets did manage to trade power forward Donatas Motiejunas to Detroit Pistons for a protected 2016 first-round draft pick. The Rockets also gave up Marcus Thornton for Joel Anthony, who they later traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.