Dwight Howard (Photo : Getty Images)
Dwight Howard is among the list of big men looking to restart their career in this summer's free agency.
Not only does Howard plan to explore free agency in July, but he is also among the league's big men looking for redemption once the summer market opens.
Howard has had an up and down stint with the Houston Rockets ever since joining the team in 2013 on a four-year $87.5 million contract. In the past season, Howard struggled to put up strong numbers, implying chemistry issues with teammates as one of the main reasons. Nevertheless, he still averaged a respectable 13.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game this season with the Rockets.
After helping the Rockets reach the playoffs in three consecutive seasons, Howard is set to explore free agency, and despite his 30-year-old body battered with injuries, many teams are still expected to show interest in adding the former three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
According to Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders, Howard is expected to choose a team where he could refreshingly start his career over after injuries diminished his athleticism that made him one of the most dominant big men in the league. Howard has been linked to several teams, but the most ideal destination for the Rockets center to get his career back on track would be the Dallas Mavericks.
Cole Mentzel of Hoops Habit believes Howard would be a great fit for the Mavs, who have been without a quality center all-throughout Dirk Nowitzki's career.
"Even though he would be last on a lot of lists, as players like Horford and Whiteside available, Howard is the most likely center for the Mavs and would probably be the easiest to attract this summer," Mentzel wrote.
Howard would give the Mavs a presence inside the paint offensively and defensively, whether it be scoring down low, blocking shots or crashing the boards. Moreover, he gets a fresh start on a familiar territory in Dallas, one of the other three teams in Texas.
Landing Howard would also give the Mavs a strong chance to retain key free agent Chandler Parsons, who has a close relationship with the All-Star center.
Interestingly, despite uncertainty over his future, Parsons openly recruited Howard to play with him in Dallas, sparking rumors of the two together in a Mavs uniform.
"Yeah, for sure," Parsons said when asked whether he wanted to play with Howard again, reports ESPN. "I think he can still dominate the game. I think he can still be a great player in this league. And I think he's going to leave Houston. So why not come here [Dallas]?"
The Mavs need to address their center position, and while it is undetermined they have a strong intent in signing Howard, he is a more realistic option than the likes of Hassan Whiteside and Al Horford.
