The Bucks' trade for Dwight Howard fell apart because he wouldn't opt in

The Milwaukee Bucks made an offer to the Houston Rockets for Dwight Howard before the Thursday's NBA trade deadline, but talks fell apart because Howard wouldn't commit to a full season with the Bucks, ESPN's Marc Stein reported an hour after the deadline.

The Bucks liked Howard, but they wanted him to opt into the final year of his contract for the 2016-17 season worth $23.3 million, Stein said. Howard is expected to opt out and pursue free agency this summer, possibly wanting a max contract, which would begin over $30 million for the first year alone.

It's not clear exactly what the Bucks offered Houston, but any deal they suggested must have included Greg Monroe. Milwaukee signed the offensive-focused center last summer but was reportedly shopping him around at this year's trade deadline, despite Monroe having one of his best seasons.

Milwaukee was one of a half dozen teams who apparently inquired about Howard, but ultimately, the Rockets big man will stay in Houston at least through the summer. Given all the trade talks, though, it would be hard to see him return in a Rockets uniform next year.