Biggest Reason Dwight Howard Must Consider Each Interested Team in Free Agency

Uh-oh. Dwight Howard has another decision to make.

After not-so-subtly forcing his way off the Orlando Magic and winding up in the arms of the Los Angeles Lakers, Superman is on the cusp of unrestricted free agency and all the allure it has to offer.

Hollywood is considered a favorite to land Howard because it can offer him the most money and because, well, nobody disses the Lakers.

A number of other suitors don't see it that way, though. Howard doesn't either. He's prepared to take his time during the free-agency process and sort through his options in an attempt to find the best fit.

Favorites will emerge, but every rumored team prepared to court him has at least one significant selling point.

Which of the many pitches Howard will be subjected to will resonate with him most?

There are a plethora of options for Dwight to consider, all of which will appeal to Howard for different reasons.

*All stats in this article were compiled from Basketball-Reference and NBA.com unless otherwise noted.

Atlanta Hawks: Chris Paul

Oddly enough, the Atlanta Hawks' best selling point has nothing to do with their current team.

Atlanta has the financial means and reported intent to sign both Chris Paul and Dwight Howard. I don't have to tell you how huge that would be for a historically mediocre and often forgotten franchise.

According to Mark Heisler of Lakers Nation, Paul and Howard have discussed joining forces in Atlanta in the past. With both stars unhappy about how their season ended in Los Angeles, the temptation to actualize such a discussion is bound to present itself.

The Hawks haven't made it out of the second round of the playoffs since the NBA's postseason format changed in 1971, but with a fellow superstar like Paul in tow, that wouldn't be an issue for Howard.

Save for All-Star games, Superman has yet to play alongside an elite point guard. And no, the back nine of Steve Nash's career doesn't count.

Passing on an opportunity to play with league's best floor general would then seem insane. If Paul was going to Atlanta, why wouldn't Howard want to follow? Especially if he wants to win?

Admittedly, though, this doesn't appear to be the type of situation where Paul will sign and then Howard will be free to make his decision. If this is going to happen, Howard himself will have to help orchestrate it. He and Paul will need to be on the same page and make the final decision together.

That the Hawks can put Howard and Paul in a position to make such a decision, though, is undeniably attractive.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Chris Paul 2.0 with a Side of LeBron James

By Chris Paul 2.0, we of course mean Kyrie Irving.

Dan Gilbert's Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to make a play for Dwight Howard, and they have a more compelling sales pitch than most give them credit for.

The soon-to-be third-year point man hasn't secured Chris Paul-like status yet, but he's well on his way.

Irving was selected to the All-Star game as a sophomore and is the only player in NBA history to average at least 20 points, five assists and one steal per game while shooting 39 percent or better from beyond the arc through his first two seasons.

In other words, he's turned some heads.

As previously noted, Howard has never had the opportunity to play next to an elite point guard, unless you count 39-year-old Steve Nash. Irving is on the verge of superstardom, if he isn't there already. He and Dwight could do some great things together.

Better yet, Irving, Howard and LeBron James could do some great things together.

Leading into the summer of 2014, the Cavaliers have the ability to renounce the rights to all six players that will technically still be on the roster. They'll pick up their team option on Irving, because they'd be stupid not to.

With him accounting for about $8 million in payroll and Dwight, let's say, $20 million, the Cavs would have more than $30 million annually to spend. Even after accounting for future rookie contracts, that number won't drop below $20-23 million.

That's Cleveland (including Mike Brown unfortunately) knocking on your door, LeBron.

The reigning MVP is eligible to hit free agency in 2014, and the Cavs, who are expected to pursue him anyway, would be difficult to turn down with a core of Kyrie and Dwight (and potentially Nerlens Noel and Dion Waiters too).

It's just a vision, but it's a realistic vision. One that is sure to peak Howard's interest.

Dallas Mavericks: Mark Cuban

It seems peculiar, I know. But it's the truth.

The Dallas Mavericks are prepared to make a run, according to Chad Ford of ESPN, at Dwight Howard and will attempt to sell him on a number of things. And when you loop all those things together, they lead you to owner Mark Cuban.

Dallas' eccentric handler never shies away from opening his checkbook. He'll spend whatever it takes to win. And the Mavericks have won. Just two years ago, in fact.

Howard will likely have plenty of concerns with how the roster shapes up given that the Mavs missed the playoffs this past season, but those can be easily quelled.

Heading into 2014, they too have the ability to hit the free-agency ground running. Jared Cunningham is currently the only player under contract at that time, and the Mavs hold a team option on him.

Assuming Dwight signed, the team would then have close to $40 million annually with which to play around.

Dirk Nowitzki is prepared to take a steep pay cut to come back. From there, Dallas would still be free to chase the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and whomever else they please.

With Howard and a much cheaper Nowitzki in the fold, the Mavs suddenly become a destination of choice.

Dallas' roster wouldn't be in perfect condition leading into next season, but with Cuban willing and able to make it rain in 2014, the future would be bright.

Very bright.

Houston Rockets: James Harden

This isn't really conjecture so much as it is a fact: Dwight Howard is mesmerized by James Harden. Chandler Parsons, too.

Per Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, the prospect of playing alongside the bearded wonder intrigues him, so much so that the Houston Rockets are considered the biggest threat to the Lakers. Which, to be honest, isn't surprising.

Houston has a talented young core. While Jeremy Lin isn't the elite point guard Dwight seems to be seeking, Harden essentially is. And then some.

Since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder, Harden has proved he can carry a team as the primary scorer and playmaker. The Rockets wouldn't have made the playoffs without him. 

Pairing up with a superstar of Harden's caliber who, unlike Dirk Nowitzki or even Chris Paul, is only entering his prime is something to seriously contemplate. And it seems Howard will do just that.

Superman will also take notice of how much flexibility the Rockets would still have to build around him and Harden. 

After signing Howard, the Rockets won't be one of those teams with an abundance of cap space leading into 2014, but they'll have the young assets necessary to acquire another star if they see fit. Lin and Omer Asik would be entering the final year of their deals as well and could then become valuable trade bait.

With the Rockets, there would be a plan—win as many championships with Harden and Howard as possible.

Sounds like a good plan.

Los Angeles Lakers: Let the History Do the Talking

We've arrived.

The Lakers could sell Dwight Howard on the $100-plus million they can offer. They could refresh his memory on how huge a market Los Angeles is. And they can even sell him on their plans to make the spalshiest of splashes in the summer of 2014.

But none of that matters. Not as much as their track record.

These Lakers have a knack for winning. There is always a frustrating season or two (like this past one) found in between, but they're synonymous with winning.

Kobe Bryant alone has five championships to his name and the Lakers have won 10 titles during the Buss regime. That's a lot of hardware.

Howard may not be the best of friends with Kobe or Mike D'Antoni, but he doesn't have to be. Neither of them will define Los Angeles' future. Howard can. He can be the face of one of the most successful franchises in all of sports.

That's what the Lakers will sell him on. They'll also play up their ability to chase LeBron James and the band of superstars he'll lead with him into free agency in 2014, but it's their penchant for winning that the Lakers will rely on to do the talking.

Now all that's left to do is hope Dwight is listening.

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