Heading into free agency in July, Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard, 30, will have plenty of things to think about like his health and if he could ever return to the dominant center he once was. He will be an unrestricted free agent and it looks like the Houston Rockets are leaning on not signing the eight time All-Star so the inside-outside combo of Howard and James Harden has come to an end.
With all the negativity surrounding Howard and the Rockets organization, the big man finally spoke up on how he feels towards the team. According to Howard, he occasionally lost interest playing as he felt that the team is not including him in their game plan.
"There were times I was disinterested because of situations that happened behind the scenes that really hurt me," Howard said in an interview with ESPN. "It left me thinking, 'This is not what I signed up for.'''
This was further confirmed when Howard said that even GM Daryl Morey does not want him getting involved. However, Morey declined to comment on Howard's statement.
"I felt like my role was being reduced," Howard told the publication. "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?'"
Even his teammates were so upfront telling him that he does not need the basketball on the offensive end to get involved, which Howard thought was right so he did just that.
Later in the interview, Howard said that he will be ready to decide once all the opportunities are on the table. He made it clear though that should the Rockets make an offer, he will accept as he vowed that choosing the Rockets three years ago was purely his decision.
Should Howard end up not getting an offer sheet from the Rockets, the teams that are likely to go after him are the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Hornets, Brew Hoop reported.
Here are some of Howard's best highlights as a Rocket.