Earlier in the 2015–16 National Basketball Association (NBA) regular season, the Houston Rockets struggled which placed center Dwight Howard in the trade rumor mill often, but that story is changing as the team starts to play better. 

It all started with a report by famous basketball writer Chris Sheridan back in December stating that Howard is unhappy with the Rockets. 

Sheridan even predicted that Howard will be playing with the Miami Heat before the season ends. 

Howard later denied the rumors, while Sheridan stood up to what he reported and said that the former All-Star center was not really pleased with his stay in Houston. 

Because of this, Howard was linked to a number of teams and potential trade deals, but nothing significant truly happened. 

Now, it seems like the rumors about Howard will be put to rest, with the Rockets slowly improving their record and going up in the Western Conference. 

Despite missing Houston's last three games because of a left ankle injury, Howard is a key factor to the team's resurgence in the middle of the regular season. 

The 30-year-old took time, but is starting to turn his game around, averaging 14.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.6 blocks, and one steal in 32.5 minutes played per game.

Currently, the Rockets are on a three-game winning streak playing without the injured Howard, topping the Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, and the New Orleans Pelicans. 

Houston, a team that earlier in the season was in the bottom of the West, is now on the seventh spot with a 25–22 record.

The Rockets continue a three-game Western Conference road trip, which began against the Pelicans last Monday, this Wednesday taking on the second-best team in the NBA and the West, the San Antonio Spurs. 

It is still uncertain if Howard will be playing in the game since the ankle already sidelined him for three games.