Report: Blazers recruiting Parsons, Howard

The Portland Trail Blazers reportedly have grand designs to reshape the Western Conference.

According to CSN Northwest's Jason Quick, the Blazers are hoping to add both Chandler Parsons and Dwight Howard to their growing core of cost-controlled young talent.

As it happens, Parsons and Howard are known to be good friends. Parsons reportedly played a significant role in bringing Howard to the Houston Rockets, and they could reunite once again in the Pacific Northwest.

Parsons would give the Blazers yet another playmaker who can play multiple positions and stretch the floor. He had two knee surgeries last season, but still made 61 appearances and averaged 13.7 points per game while shooting 41.4 percent from deep.

As for Howard, he would shore up Portland's leaky interior defense and provide them with a lethal pick-and-roll target. Howard posted near-career lows in scoring (13.7) and field goals (8.5) last season, but he shot 62 percent from the floor, grabbed 11.8 rebounds, and blocked 1.6 shots per game.

Parsons is reportedly holding out for a maximum contract that starts at $22 million. Howard wants at least $24 million next season. Portland has more than $42 million in cap room to accommodate the move.

The Blazers won 44 games last season on the backs of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. Adding another two above-average starters to the group could instantly vaunt the Blazers into the title conversation.