Could Mark Cuban Edge out Houston Rockets for Dwight Howard?

Dwight Howard might be the one preparing for a Powerball payoff this summer, but a number of NBA teams are lining up like lottery hopefuls to pluck the star center from the frenzied free-agent market.

The rumored leader in the sweepstakes appears to be changing by the day.

Howard's most recent employer, the Los Angeles Lakers, was widely thought to be forging a long-term relationship when they grabbed him from the Orlando Magic in a blockbuster four-team trade last summer.

But a disastrous debut season in La La Land might have Superman pondering the greener pastures across the basketball landscape.

The young core of the Houston Rockets, led by their bearded All-Star James Harden, were rumored to be the Lakers' biggest threat in the Howard running according to Sam Amick of USA Today. But a source told Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News that the upstart Golden State Warriors, Howard's hometown Atlanta Hawks and the 2011 NBA champion Dallas Mavericks were also being considered.

According to Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld.com, though, Howard's doing more than just considering Dallas as a potential landing point:

Ingram added later that he still feels that the Rockets are the favorites to lure Howard away from L.A.:

But that doesn't mean the big man's interest in the Mavericks isn't legitimate. 

It is, and for good reason.

Dallas may be coming off a forgettable 41-41 season, but it has a number of enticing features to sell to Howard.

The big man knows the importance of sharing the floor with a stretch forward.

He had several of them in Orlando (Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis and Ryan Anderson). And with their assistance, he guided the Magic to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals appearances and an NBA Finals berth in 2009.

He didn't have that same luxury in L.A., no matter how hard Mike D'Antoni tried to force Pau Gasol into that role. Without that space-saving support, Howard struggled through his worst statistical season in six years and the Lakers were swept in the opening round.

In Dallas, Howard could team with a superstar player who built an MVP campaign around his abilities to thrive in that very role. Dirk Nowitzki has the length (7'0") and the shooting touch (career 38.1 three-point percentage) to provide spacing, but a more diverse scoring arsenal than a typical stretch big.

Howard's first experience playing alongside a dominant scorer didn't go so well (Kobe Bryant in L.A.), but Nowitzki doesn't mind sharing the spotlight or the prime box score position.

Nowitzki's presence on the roster is important for another reason, too: He's one of just four Mavericks with a guaranteed contract for next season (via HoopsWorld.com).

The Rockets can sell Howard on the promise of their young, playoff-caliber roster. The Lakers have their championship-tested, highly decorated to group to fall back on.

Dallas has Nowitzki, but also the intriguing idea of an otherwise empty canvass for Howard to fill as he pleases (via Ingram):

Of course that's also another way of saying that more pieces need to be put in place for the Mavericks to entertain even optimistic championship dreams:

But herein lies another weapon in Dallas' arsenal.

With the deep pockets of billionaire owner Mark Cuban, Rick Carlisle's championship resume, the lack of state income taxes in Texas and the prospect of playing with Howard and Nowitzki, the Mavericks could easily become one of the more desirable destinations for other free agents.

Cuban and Co. have been planning for this overhaul for years.

They tore down the title group of 2011, shedding all but $28 million from next season's payroll (although that number could grow depending on team and player options). They saved that financial flexibility by operating on a slew of one-year contracts last season.

All of Howard's biggest suitors have to do some convincing at the negotiating table.

For L.A., it's all about selling the fact that last year was an anomaly and the promise of better things to come. For Houston, it's a matter of assuring him that its young, talented core is willing to put in the necessary offseason work to take the next step.

Dallas needs to persuade him that Nowitzki's not too far removed from his prime, and that the two of them would be a collective force on the free-agent market.

The Lakers have money on their sides. The Rockets may have the easiest sales pitch of the group.

But the Mavericks may well have the most compelling argument.