Houston Rockets: Dwight Howard wouldn’t mind playing with Iman Shumpert

Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

A video dug up by Azaz of the Knicks FanBlog from the taping of Stephen A. Smith’s ESPN interview with Dwight Howard this weekend  shows us some behind the scenes conversations between the two. The conversation somehow turns to the New York Knicks’ Iman Shumpert, and at the 10-second mark, Smith shares a piece of gossip with Howard.

“And by the way, [James] Dolan was ready to trade [Shumpert] because he didn’t want to work out in the summer league. Dolan’s talking about trading him. I said, “trade who? You better hold on to that boy. You better not lose Iman Shumpert.’ That boy can play.”

Howard’s response? “He can come here.”

The video goes on to continue the interview which is interrupted by Howard’s phone which he has not turned off.

Shumpert was the Knicks’ first-round pick in 2011, finished seventh in the NBA with 1.7 steals per game last season – the first Knick to finish in the top 10 in that category since Mark Jackson in 1987-88.

The Rockets have made many moves this offseason and with center Omer Asik wanting out, there is always a possibility a move could be made.

Do the Rockets need Shumpert?

Iman shoots 35% from three for his career, which doesn’t help when Howard is passing out the double team, but Shumpert does play excellent one-on-one defense, which is a rarity.