Dwight Howard Fires Agent Dan Fegan: Latest Comments and Reaction

Houston Rockets star Dwight Howard appears to be headed for free agency in the summer, but he will likely be doing so with new representation.

On Friday, Howard fired agent Dan Fegan, according to Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com. The veteran center issued a statement on the matter, per Sam Amick of USA Today:

"

As I continue to embark on my NBA journey, I have decided to sever my relationship with Dan Fegan and Relativity Sports. I have the utmost respect for Dan, but this is the right decision for me. My sole focus remains working with my teammates to position the Rockets for a pursuit of a championship. I wish Dan and the team at Relativity all the best in the future.

"

Los Angeles Clippers star DeAndre Jordan also fired Fegan after his controversial free agency last summer. Washington Wizards point guard John Wall parted ways with Fegan last month.

Watkins reported Howard had already begun meeting with other agents before Friday's news broke:

The timing of Howard's decision comes at an interesting juncture.

The eight-time All-Star has expressed interest in hitting free agency again to seek out what will likely be the last major contract of his career. Prior to the Feb. 18 trade deadline, the Rockets had been actively looking to trade Howard and were in discussions with at least seven teams, per Marc Stein of ESPN.com.

No deal materialized because Houston's asking price was reportedly astronomical, according to Stein, and Howard likely would have been a rented commodity as he plans to choose his next team after hitting the open market in the summer.

But now that Fegan is out of the picture, Howard will have to decide whether he wants to opt in to the final year of his contract and collect the $23.3 million he's set to earn in 2016-17 or seek another deal in free agency.