The NBA free agency rumors continue even as major events like the Conference Finals and the Draft lottery took place.
The buzz around the league will still fluctuate and in a recent interview with Dwight Howard, it offered some clues on his future.
In an ESPN feature from Jackie MacMullan, we gain some insights on D12 and some clues to determine where he would sign.
While Howard refused to answer the question on whether he will opt out of his contract with Houston with a straight "yes" or "no," he gave a clue on what made him want to leave. He admitted that he became disinterested.
"There were times I was disinterested because of situations that happened behind the scenes that really hurt me. It left me thinking, 'This is not what I signed up for.'''
While he did not justify his actions, he did state the reason and pretty much burned the bridge with Rockets GM Daryl Morey.
"I felt like my role was being reduced. I went to [Rockets general manager] Daryl [Morey] and said, 'I want to be more involved.' Daryl said, 'No, we don't want you to be.' My response was, 'Why not? Why am I here?' It was shocking to me that it came from him instead of our coach. So I said to him, 'No disrespect to what you do, but you've never played the game. I've been in this game a long time. I know what it takes to be effective.'''
ESPN noted that Daryl Morey declined comment on the matter.
The conversation shifted to Howard's previous free agency and it was notable that he cited certain players.
"But I was a free agent and I was looking at Houston, who had James(Harden), and, at that time Chandler [Parsons] and Jeremy [Lin] and I thought, 'This might be better for me.''
It was obvious why he chose Harden-he was a rising superstar. It has also been public that Parsons actively recruited to get Howard to Houston. Calling out Jeremy Lin is intriguing since the Charlotte Hornets is a rumored frontrunner for his services. Howard then makes his unofficial pitch to the teams.
"This will be my last chance for a really big contract. If I am utilized the right way, I know what I can do for a team, a city, a franchise. I know my worth, and I will bust my butt this summer to show my worth to everyone.''
Both Parsons and Lin, like Howard, are free agents. There could be questions on who's recruiting who, but Lin has been strong and consistent in his preference to stay in Charlotte. Also, while both the Mavericks and Hornets overachieved this season, Charlotte has the more positive vibe.
One last argument for the Hornets is that Dallas might not be able to give him what he's looking for, as former Dallas Maverick Jason Terry noted in ESPN Radio's Cowlishaw and Mosley Show (h/t Sportsday).
"It would be a great fit. I think the key cog in that wheel is Dwight," Terry said. "Are you willing to come in and accept Carlisle's style of coaching? He has a great offensive system. It's all about structure, player movement, ball movement. But the big guy really doesn't touch it a lot on the inside."
Not having enough touches was the reason why Howard got disinterested with Houston. He would probably make that a negotiating point now.