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Gus Johnson: Dwight Howard wanted to land in Milwaukee at trade deadline

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

A deadline day report that the Milwaukee Bucks were one of the teams pushing to acquire Dwight Howard seemed a mere pipe dream for one of the NBA's smallest market teams, especially considering the Bucks wanted Howard to commit to Milwaukee beyond this season.

But according to Howard himself, via Bucks play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson, the eight-time All-Star actually wanted to land in Milwaukee.

"I wanted to come to Milwaukee during the trade deadline," Howard said, as Johnson revealed during Monday's telecast of the Bucks' win over Howard's Houston Rockets. "I would have come, but they wanted me to sign an extension," added Howard, noting the Bucks' discomfort with the possibility that he would be a mere short-term rental before his potential free agency this summer.

As for Howard's response to Johnson bringing up that the Bucks didn't just want him for half a season, the big man sounded open-minded.

"You never know. I like Milwaukee."

While Howard's apparent willingness to consider a long-term future in Milwaukee will come as a surprise, his desire to end up with the Bucks perhaps shouldn't. Despite a frustrating season of regression in Milwaukee, the Bucks have one of the NBA's most intriguing young rosters, especially on the defensive end - which likely piques the interest of a three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

Howard, who poured in 30 points and 13 rebounds in Monday's loss to the Bucks, is averaging 14.9 points, 12 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 steals for the Rockets, who are clinging to the West's last playoff spot after advancing to the conference finals last spring.

Given the Bucks' standing in the East, however - six games back of a playoff spot - it's no wonder they were uneasy about surrendering assets for an aging star who can test unrestricted free agency again this summer.

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