Dwight Howard Rumors: Latest Buzz on Houston Rockets and More Free-Agent Suitors

Dwight Howard isn’t going to hit the open market for another month, but already rumors and speculation are swirling about whether or not the big man will spurn the Los Angeles Lakers and sign with another franchise.

The most recent rumor involves D12 sending out “signals” to the Houston Rockets, one of his primary free agency suitors and arguably the best possible landing destination this offseason.

Let’s closer examine this scoop and more of the latest buzz floating around the ‘net concerning the superstar center in Friday’s Dwight Howard-themed rumor roundup.

 

Rockets Receiving “Hopeful Signals” 

ESPN’s Marc Stein has found that Howard is allegedly expressing significant interest in joining the Rockets this summer.

Sources close to the situation are saying that the 27-year-old is serious about teaming up with James Harden to create a formidable nucleus—one that could challenge the San Antonio Spurs and other powers in the West for the conference title.

ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith added that Howard speaks to Harden “quite often” and that there is a “50-50” chance that the nine-year veteran leaves the Lakers in the coming months.

The Rockets must be reasonable about these “hopeful signals,” as the soon-to-be-free agent has changed his mind plenty of times before. Howard is notoriously fickle and gained much notoriety for his constant waffling during the 2011-12 campaign, which finally came to a merciful end when the Orlando Magic traded him to the Lakers last August.

Now that he has a chance to choose his next destination—within reason, as he will likely command and get a four-year deal worth approximately $90 million (or five years, $120 million from L.A.)—Howard has some appointments to make.

Stein noted that Superman is planning in-person visits with the Rockets and rival Dallas Mavericks, while also leaving the door open to add more clubs to the agenda.

Houston certainly seems to be atop his shortlist, but much could change—repeatedly—in the near future. 

Mavs Looking to Clear Space?

If Dallas is serious about courting D12, it will have to make some moves to free up the cap space required to dole out a max contract.

One way to shave off a few dollars is to trade the No. 13 pick in the upcoming draft, as ESPN’s Chad Ford has indicated team brass will attempt to do prior to the event on June 27. Should Dallas accomplish its goal, the team will save just over $1.6 million on the cap—a small but significant amount when it comes to clearing the proper amount to land Dwight.

In reference to Howard and Paul, superstar Dirk Nowitzki had this to say about the Mavericks’ chances (as per Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas):

"

We'd love to get one of the main guys. It’s going to be tough to get them out of the situation that they're in. I think that's pretty easy [to see]. I think both are in L.A., where you want to play basketball, and both are in great positions and situations. We'll just have to wait and see.

"

Nowitzki went on to acknowledge that an in-person meeting will be crucial and he hopes that owner Mark Cuban and the rest of the recruiters for Dallas’ camp can “hit it out of the ballpark.”

Hawks are a Long Shot

Dwight Howard may be from Atlanta, but he’s in no hurry to play for the hometown Hawks.

The big man could—according to Stein—change his tune if CP3 decided to join forces and sign with him as part of a package deal this summer.

That seemed highly unlikely up until Friday, as ESPN’s Chris Broussard reported that Paul is now extremely upset and angry with the Los Angeles Clippers, notably team owner Donald Sterling.

Sterling raked his superstar over the coals in an interview with T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times, blaming him for the departure of Vinny Del Negro, the most successful coach in regular-season history for the Clips.

If Paul is truly angry enough and makes it clear he wants to play elsewhere, the Hawks will likely scramble to clear the proper cap space to ink both him and Howard to new contracts in the offseason.

It’s quite a long shot, but Sterling’s foolish antics may lend an assist to what could be one of the biggest offseason coups since LeBron James and Chris Bosh took their talents to South Beach.