Mavericks forward Josh Howard is enduring his worst professional season and his expiring contract could prove to be a valuable trade chip.

Howard will earn $10.9 million this season.

He has missed 21 games and his scoring average, 12.2 points, is the lowest since his rookie season.

"You have your teammates that are counting on you to do your job," Jason Kidd said of dealing with trade rumors.

"The big thing for us veteran guys who have been through it is to make sure that he's on board and that he's focused on doing his job."