Dwight Howard: Which Top Contenders Have the Best Shot at Landing Superman?
Dwight Howard is playing some of the best basketball of his career, but that's not all people are talking about when it comes to Superman.
It's no secret that he's going to be a free agent after next season, and then it's decision time for the big man.
There have been whispers that he's eying up New York or Los Angeles when his contract is up.
With that in mind, we've taken teams that are shaping up to be the most serious contenders for Howard, and given each a percentage chance of landing Howard, some reasons why he'd stay and why he'd leave, along with a prediction at the end.
As always, if you have any thoughts or comments, make sure to leave them below.
Background
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If you've been living under a rock for the past couple of weeks, there's been a lot of debate about Dwight Howard and the 2012 free agency period.
Howard is one of three massive targets that every team will want to go after, along with Chris Paul and Deron Williams.
There have been whispers for some time that Howard has been sizing up his next destination; and that Howard has been more than annoyed at that perception.
Despite that, the rumors keep floating around about the free agency period, whether he likes it or not.
New Jersey Nets
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We're coming out of the gate with the New Jersey Nets—who all of a sudden are a power player with the Deron Williams trade.
Before that move, New Jersey was a team that was rumored to be big-time, with Mikhail Prokhorov running the show. However, the Nets whiffed this past summer, and were on the receiving end of some jokes at their expense.
New Jersey is penciled in for a little over $36 million for 2012, but that's including $17 million and change for Deron Williams—who will probably opt out.
Not only that, but Damion Jones has a team option for about $1.3 million. The Nets have plenty of room, and if New Jersey can convince Williams to stay, it will be very attractive to Howard, who plans to be a big part of the team's plans.
Chance: 20 percent
Dallas Mavericks
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According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Dallas Mavericks are planning to try and land Deron Williams and Dwight Howard in the same free agency period.
Mark Cuban certainly has the money to make it happen, and the way the books are shaping up, he has the room to do it too. If Dallas declines team options on Dominique Jones and Rodrique Beaubois, they'll only have three players under contract.
Adding Howard and Williams to Dirk Nowtizki and the Mavericks would make Dallas a Western Conference powerhouse.
Odds: 15 percent
New York Knicks
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The New York Knicks may already have two superstars locked up on the roster, but it doesn't mean that Donnie Walsh and company are done.
New York will have money off of the books in 2012, and will possibly be able to sign another major free agent. The Knicks may or may not have the money, but it looks like Howard won't be the main target for New York.
Chris Paul seems to be the next target for the Knicks, and that hurts Howard's chances of landing in the Big Apple.
Chances: 5 percent
Boston Celtics
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It may seem out of the blue, but if you think about it, it would make a ton of sense for Boston.
In 2012, the Celtics will have two players locked up in Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo. Boston also has a team option for Avery Bradley.
Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen will be free agents—and not getting any younger.
Boston's window could be thrown back open if the Celtics can pair Howard and Rondo. That is a combination that could be dangerous for years to come.
Chances: 10 percent
Los Angeles Lakers
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Now we're into the meat of the discussion with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers have been one of the teams that have been cited as a possible destination for Howard in 2012.
Los Angeles will certainly have the money to make a deal happen, should they pursue it. The team has a little over $67 million lined up for that year, which is a lot, but the Lakers can clear almost $25 million by declining player option on Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom.
That means you could have Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard on the same team—and that would keep the Lakers rolling into the future.
Chances: 25 percent
Orlando Magic
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Lost in all of this speculation is the team he's on right now—the Orlando Magic.
The Magic will certainly make a strong push to keep their big man, and keep him from making a jump to a major market team.
There will be a long line of teams for Howard's services, but you know he's going to give his team a great chance to make a pitch to keep him.
It will be an interesting battle between Orlando and the other suitors, that's for sure.
Chances: 25 percent
Why Would He Leave Orlando?
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Howard has said the best option for him right now is in Orlando, but is it really?
In 2012, the Magic will be paying Gilbert Arenas $20 million, Hedo Turkoglu $11.4 million, and various other contracts—limiting the room Orlando has to make moves.
Orlando's history with big men leaving—and the backlash from LeBron's decision—will play some role in it, but Howard seems to enjoy playing for the Magic. However, if the team is in a bad way heading into the free agency period, Superman could be making an exit.
It would be another stunning blow to a franchise that had to deal with the exit of Shaquille O'Neal.
Why Would He Stay in Orlando?
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What's most important to Dwight Howard is winning.
Orlando has a lot of money tied up into the future, but if the Magic can sit Howard down and give him a clear idea of what they want to do to get a championship team in town in the future, he'll be inclined to stay—along with being able to pay him more money than anyone else.
That is really what it's going to come down to. If you can convince him that Orlando can continue to be a winner, he'll stay. If the Magic don't, he's gone.
It's that simple.
Prediction
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In the end, I don't see Howard heading elsewhere.
Howard has bristled at the idea that he's bolting, and when you put yourself out there, you back yourself into a corner and he's not stupid.
He knows what happens when you do that after the backlash from LeBron James, and he only reacted that way because he truly believes he's going to stay in Orlando.
The only way he leaves Orlando is if the Magic totally botch next season and the pitch to him come free agency.
