Dwight Howard Discusses James Harden, Free Agency, More on 'Inside the NBA'
Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard joined TNT's Inside the NBA on Tuesday night following the Oklahoma City Thunder's 95-91 Game 5 win over the San Antonio Spurs, and the polarizing big man opened up on a trying season, his relationship with James Harden and future plans in a conversation with Matt Winer, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.
When asked whether he will decline his $23.3 million player option for next season and become a free agent, Howard didn't tip his hand one way or the other, as Turner Sports PR on Twitter documented:
However, Howard clarified that wherever he plays, he'd prefer to be a featured member of the offense, according to the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen:
"I'm always interested in winning. As a big, sometimes you want to feel a part of what's going on. I have to rely on my teammates ... to get the ball. There's been times I've been upset and I've taken myself out of games and situations. That's on me. I have to go and be a better player at that.
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Although Howard was one of just five players to average at least 13 points and 11 rebounds during the 2015-16 campaign, he attempted just 8.5 shots per game—the lowest mark of his career since his rookie season with the Orlando Magic.
| Post-Up | 30.5% | 0.82 | 47.5% | 45.3 |
| Roll Man | 9.3% | 1.10 | 63.0% | 71.2 |
| Cuts | 22.2% | 1.38 | 76.2% | 77.4 |
| Putbacks | 14.8% | 1.15 | 64.1% | 43.2 |
Howard's struggles were amplified by the fact he reportedly clashed stylistically with the ball-dominant Harden, who tallied a usage rate (32.5 percent) that was light-years ahead of the center's (18.4 percent).
"They don't hate each other; they just can't play together," a Rockets player told The Vertical's Michael Lee in April.
Tuesday night, Howard reiterated there is a formula for success the two stars can embrace if they want to coexist.
"I think we can [succeed together]," he said, according to Feigen. "I believe we can. Both of us have to put our egos and our pride to the side. That's the only way we're going to win."
Howard made it clear in the end that what irked him most about last season was how the Rockets fell short against the Golden State Warriors for the second year in a row.
"I hated the fact that we got put out when we did," he said, per SheridanHoops.com's Ben DuBose. "I was very upset to lose to Golden State the way we did."
The Rockets stole Game 3 from the heavily favored Warriors to prevent bowing out of the postseason in four straight games, but they lost Games 4 and 5 by an average of 30 points to cap off what was already a disappointing season in discouraging fashion.
Now 30 years old, Howard needs to decide if he wants to stick out one more season with the Rockets or turn the page and start fresh with a new franchise.
ESPN.com's Calvin Watkins reported at the end of April that Howard is "expected" to become a free agent, with teams such as the Magic, Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers the early "favorites" to sign him.
But regardless of where he winds up, Howard should be motivated to bounce back and resemble the elite paint patroller he once was.
Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com unless noted otherwise.
