Just How Huge is the Howard Signing for the Rockets?

After reading this great article by Zach Lowe http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/67894/dwights-flight-and-what-weve-learned-from-free-agency-so-far, it just hit me that we could possibly be the best destination for free-agent-to-be superstars from here on out now that we've added Dwight Howard on our team.

Take this quote from Zach's article..

"But Houston isn’t necessarily the best example of the value of being ultra-active even when it appears inertia might do. That would be the Warriors, who entered free agency hopelessly capped out, short on depth, and frighteningly reliant on Andrew Bogut’s body. Bob Myers, the Warriors GM, understood both the fragility of Golden State’s upward trajectory and the fact that any team — even one with zero cap flexibility — could inject itself into the Howard sweepstakes.

Superstar players can force their way anywhere. Teams with cap space have an edge, since there’s no mess for them, and the new CBA has basically eliminated the financial advantage players get from sign-and-trade transactions. But sign-and-trades still help teams on the verge of losing their own star free agents, and the Warriors understood that if Howard told the Lakers “I’m taking my farts to Golden State,” the Lakers would have had an incentive to construct some sort of deal sending him there.

And so they tried, and they came close to winning. Other teams could and should have done the same; the media mocked Danny Ainge when it leaked that Boston had called Howard’s camp to gauge his interest in a sign-and-trade there, but that is absolutely the right approach. Take the Wizards, with two large expiring contracts (Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza), two very intriguing young assets (Bradley Beal, Otto Porter), a biggish market, and a star-level point guard still below Howard in the NBA’s pecking order — an important thing for Howard’s sensitive ego. What’s to lose in reaching out to Howard as the Warriors did?

Or what about Chicago, once a rumored Howard trade destination? They’ve got one big expiring (Luol Deng), an All-Star center on a good contract (Joakim Noah), an extra pick courtesy of the Bobcats, a big market, a knockout young asset in Jimmy Butler, and a superstar point guard ready to devour the league again. The Bulls are over the luxury tax “apron,” making it harder for them to build a sign-and-trade, but it’s doable. Did they try?"


Sure, it pays to have tons of cap space, but without an existing talented roster nor a solid foundation, you won't be an attractive destination for free agent stars. Just look what happened to Dallas and Atlanta.

Enter 2014 free agency sweepstakes.

If LeBron James becomes a free agent next summer, we will be one of the biggest threats to acquire his services. Yes i know, odds are, he will stay in Miami but just hear me out.

If you were LeBron, would you rather stay and roll with a Chris Bosh and 32-year old Dwayne Wade with nagging injuries or join forces with arguably the best center/shooting guard combo in the league in Dwight Howard and James Harden?

Cap room you ask?

Well, if the Warriors, who were capped out this off-season gave you the biggest scare in the Dwight sweepstakes then don't tell me we won't be a threat to Miami once LeBron explores free agency. If the Warriors managed to easily unload seldom used Biedrins and Jefferson and their $20mil combined salary then don't tell me we won't be able to deal Asik and Lin's expiring contracts.

One thing is for certain, Dwight Howard coming here to join forces with James Harden is that huge. Not only are we one of the potential championship contenders now but it also makes Houston one of the best, if not the best, free agent destinations in the entire NBA.

 

The Warriors were also capped out this summer but that didn't stop them from signing Igoudala and making a run at Dwight. We will be capped out next summer but Lin and Asik will be on expiring contracts by then. "Assets".

 

I used only LeBron as an example for free agents to come. Point is, we are now a premiere destination in the NBA. Yes, most people would say they would rather have the Durant and Westbrook combo but for me, a top guard and center combo is much more ideal, especially for players and free agents like LeBron.

 

True. That's exactly why things like "Player option" is a big turn off to Morey. He's always one step ahead in terms of contracts and numbers.

 

His season with the Lakers left a foul taste in people's mouths. And most folks tend to forget how great he is just because of what they've seen for 1 year. I consider it as a fluke. Coming off major surgery, nagging shoulder tear, and just a bad fit in LA. I truly believe that Dwight will be back to his dominant self with us and can't help but salivate at the thought that he would be doing this as a member of the Houston Rockets. Still think it hasn't fully sunk in yet but come regular season or when i start seeing him on the court donning rocket red, i will be the happiest fan in the world.