Will Dwight Howard be a member of the Rockets next season? Yes

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• Feigen: Is Dwight worth the risk? | Solomon: Rockets have nothing to lose

Loading up for a move to get that long-sought franchise star or a move up in the first round, the Rockets dealt forward Chase Budinger to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a first-round pick in Thursday’s draft, a person with knowledge of the deal said Tuesday.

The Rockets will acquire the 18th pick to send Budinger to the Timberwolves, reuniting him with former coach Rick Adelman. With the 14th, 16th and 18th picks, they are hoping to put together a package that can entice the Orlando Magic to deal Dwight Howard. They had been in talks with Orlando until shortly before the March 15 trade deadline, but would likely need a pick better than their own pick at No. 14.

Budinger, a second-round pick out of Arizona, has averaged 9.4 points on 43.5 percent shooting and 3.4 rebounds in his two seasons. He began last season as the starter, but was more effective coming off the bench, finishing the season well.

The Rockets also sent the rights to 6-9 forward Lior Eliyahu to the Timberwolves in the deal. Eliyahu, a 2006 second-round pick, has played in Israel and Spain, but could be ready to make the move to the NBA with the Timberwolves. He never fit with the Rockets depth of young players at power forward.

The Rockets have been clear that with three first-round picks from last season, they did not want to add multiple rookies again this season, a strong indication that the move Tuesday was to set up the next move. But with the Rockets search for a franchise player, every deal is with the bigger deal in mind.