The Rockets are hoping the Dream can talk some sense into Howard, but only if they can trade for him.
There isn’t a deal imminent, but if it does go down they are ready to deploy Hakeem.
Olajuwon said he has been asked by the Rockets to talk to Howard about signing to remain long-term with Houston if a deal goes through to get the star center from Orlando.
“The Rockets asked me to reach out, and I’ll talk to him (if the deal goes through),” Olajuwon said of Howard, who can become a free agent next summer and could arrive in Houston with no guarantee he will stay past 2012-13. “I’d like the talk to be more like real, and I’ll let him make his decisions after that.”