March 2013 Houston Rockets Wiretap

Rockets Receive 'Hopeful Signals' Of Dwight Howard's Interest

May 31, 2013 11:30 AM

The Houston Rockets have received "hopeful signals" that Dwight Howard is genuinely considering signing with the team in free agency, according to sources.

Howard has conveyed interest in joining James Harden with the Rockets.

Sources say Howard will make in-person recruiting visits to the Rockets and Dallas Mavericks once free agency begins.

Howard may add other teams to the list.

The Los Angeles Lakers can offer a five-year deal worth $120 million to Howard, though their financial advantage isn't as significant as it seems due to the absence of state taxes in Texas.

Marc Stein/ESPN

Tags: Dwight Howard, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Rockets Trying To Trade Thomas Robinson To Clear Cap Space

May 30, 2013 6:09 PM

The Houston Rockets are attempting to trade Thomas Robinson in order to create salary cap space in order to pursue Dwight Howard.

The Rockets will accept the best offer to eliminate Robinson's $3.52 million salary for the 13-14 NBA season.

The Rockets would be able to sign Howard to a maximum contract starting at $20.5 million per season.

The Sacramento Kings traded Robinson to the Rockets just a few months after selecting him with the fifth overall pick.

The Rockets are mainly competing with the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and possibly the Golden State Warriors to acquire Howard.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Thomas Robinson, Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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James Southerland To Workout For Eight Teams

May 25, 2013 12:12 PM

James Southerland has scheduled eight visits over the next few weeks.

Southerland will work out for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz.

"He's visiting a bunch of teams," Southerland's agent, Mark Bartelstein said. "He's going to be very, very busy."

Southerland worked out for the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this week.

Mike Waters/Syracuse Post-Standard

Tags: James Southerland, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft Workouts

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Source: Howard Also Considering Warriors

May 23, 2013 10:59 AM

Dwight Howard is considering signing with the Golden State Warriors as well as the previously reported Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks, a source close to the player said Thursday.

According to the source, Howard's main concern involves "what team he feels has the best chance to win championships, has the best team and system around him."

Howard can't officially sign with a team until July 10, when a moratorium on NBA business is lifted.

Mark Medina/Los Angeles Daily News

Tags: Dwight Howard, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Howard Deciding Between Lakers, Rockets

May 21, 2013 10:41 PM

Dwight Howard is currently torn between re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers and joining the Houston Rockets in unrestricted free agency, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Howard's displeasure with Mike D'Antoni became known on Tuesday in a report from ESPN. During his exit interview with Mitch Kupchak, Howard reportedly said that he was frustrated with how D'Antoni used him and that he wasn't treated like a team leader the way he did with Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash.

Near the end of the regular season, all signs had pointed toward Howard re-signing with the Lakers.

Sam Amick/USA Today

Tags: Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Sources: Rockets Intrigue Dwight Howard

May 21, 2013 10:22 AM

The Houston Rockets have emerged as an attractive free agent possibility for Dwight Howard, according to sources.

Howard became familiar with the area after spending part of two summers ago working with Hakeem Olajuwon.

Howard is also intrigued by the possibility of playing with James Harden.

Howard will engage in the free agency process and is expected to hear pitches from the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks and the Rockets.

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Tags: Dwight Howard, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Sources: Rockets Will Decline Team Option On Francisco Garcia

May 13, 2013 5:15 PM

The Houston Rockets will not pick up the team option on Francisco Garcia's contract for next season, according to sources.

Garcia will be an unrestricted free agent in July.

Garcia's deal for next season was worth $6.4 million.

After coming to the Rockets in a trade from the Sacramento Kings, Garcia became a critical reserve and was one of Houston's primary defenders on Kevin Durant in the first round of the playoffs.

Mark Berman/Fox 26

Tags: Francisco Garcia, Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Sam Hinkie Hired As New GM Of 76ers

May 10, 2013 7:03 PM

The Philadelphia 76ers have hired Sam Hinkie as their new general manager.

Hinkie replaces Tony DiLeo and will have complete control over basketball operations.

Hinkie had been the Houston Rockets' vice president of basketball operations since 2010.

Hinkie brought an analytics background to his position with the Rockets.

Josh Harris and his ownership group had previously stated that they wanted a GM with an analytics background.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Houston Rockets, Philadelphia Sixers, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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McHale Wants Rockets To 'Play Bigger'

May 9, 2013 12:05 PM

Kevin McHale wants the Houston Rockets to add more size in their starting lineup.

"I think we've got to play bigger," McHale said. "We played small especially after trading Patrick Patterson. A couple of guys stepped up and tried to play the four spot. We're going to have to play bigger, but one of the young bigs we have, I think one of those guys will definitely emerge, maybe a couple of them."

The Rockets tried several options at the power forward position, including Donatas Motiejunas and Greg Smith, with Thomas Robinson and Terrence Jones getting time as well.

In the playoffs against Oklahoma City, McHale elected to go with a smaller starting lineup that didn't feature a traditional power forward.

"Now, we need a summer of growth," McHale said. "I think Terrence Jones, Thomas Robinson, Donatas Motiejunas, one of those guys, or maybe a couple of them will have to step up and play well."

Howard Chen/CSNHouston

Tags: Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Harden Plans To Recruit Free Agents For Rockets

May 4, 2013 12:59 PM

James Harden plans to be an active member of the Houston Rockets' recruiting efforts this summer.

"Hell, yeah," Harden said. "There's a lot of good options out there."

Asked specifically about Dwight Howard, Harden broke into a smile and added: "Maybe. Possibly."

The Rockets will have max-level cap space to utilize this summer.

Marc Stein/ESPN

Tags: James Harden, Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Delfino Out For Rest Of Playoffs With Fractured Foot

Reid Laymance/Houston Chronicle

Bobcats Request Permission To Interview Kelvin Sampson

Jonathan Feigen/Houston Chronicle