NBA Trade Rumors 2015: Rockets' Dwight Howard May Be Let Go Due To Coaching Change And 'Unhappiness' With Team

Houston Rockets big man Dwight Howard is rumored to be one of the team's top candidates to be traded.

In a report by SB Nation, the former Los Angeles Lakers front liner is in the shortlist of being let go because of the recent firing of coach Kevin McHale back in mid-November. In another report by Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com, sources have claimed that Howard is "extremely unhappy" to be a second stringer for superstar James Harden.

This season, so far, Howard is averaging 13.1 points per game, on 58.1 percent field goal shooting and 31.8 minutes of action. He is also piling in 11.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.0 steals.

Also on the list is Howard's teammate Ty Lawson. After being signed in July, the 28-year old point guard has put up abysmal numbers. In a report by ESPN, he has averaged 3.4 points, 0.1 blocks, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 rebounds on 18.4 minutes of play in the last ten games.

In another report by Yahoo! Sports, Lawson is already on the final year of his $13 million contract.

Three of the Chicago Bulls' big men are also on the list of possible names to be traded. Former Los Angeles Laker Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, and Taj Gibson are the three men who are seen to leave the team by February's trade deadline.

According to the same SB Nation report, the team's decision to release the three men is mainly to give way for young blood.

"Noah and likely Gasol (player option) are set to hit free agency, and the Bulls may want to get get younger rather than pay up for aging big men," the report reads. "Gibson still has another year left after this one on his contract, but younger power forwards Nikola Mirotic and Bobby Portis are in place."

Also on the list is the Milwaukee Bucks' Miles Plumlee, who despite being a first round pick at the 2013 NBA Draft, has not seen any significant playing time this season.