Dwight Howard Reportedly Deciding Between Lakers And Rockets

http://www.sportscity.com/nba-dwight-howard-reportedly-deciding-between-lakers-and-rockets/2013/05/21/

Even though it isn’t June yet, it sounds like free agent center Dwight Howard is narrowing down his choices. Howard won’t be eligible to sign with a team until July 1, but according to RealGM.com via Sam Amick, Howard is torn between two destinations:

“Dwight Howard is currently torn between re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers and joining the Houston Rockets in unrestricted free agency, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.”
An article came out yesterday that Howard voiced his displeasure with Lakers head coach Mike D’Antoni at his exit interview and that could be the determining factor in where he signs.

While the Lakers are able to offer Howard $30 million more and an extra year, Houston doesn’t have income tax, thus making the contracts almost equal.

Acquired last off-season from the Magic, Howard’s first season in Los Angeles was an utter disappointment. Clearly slowed by his off-season back surgery, Howard wasn’t able to integrate himself correctly into D’Antoni’s offensive system.

Howard averaged 17.1 points and 12.4 rebounds last season as the Lakers went 45-37 and were swept in the first round by the San Antonio Spurs. However, the Rockets are an attractive team as James Harden, Chandler Parsons and Omer Asik form a young and attractive core.

All Howard rumors though need to be taken with a grain of salt since prior to the Lakers acquiring the center, he was rumored to be traded to the Brooklyn Nets. The report comes on the heels of the Dallas Mavericks reportedly shopping the 13th overall pick in an effort to clear cap space.

Lakers management has voiced its support for D’Antoni and it’ll be interesting if Howard tells Kupchak that he won’t re-sign if D’Antoni is the coach.

Hopefully the off-season doesn’t turn into the Dwightmare part two, but there are sure to be several rumors like this as July 1 approaches.


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