Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (R) drives against LA Lakers' Robert Sacre. (Photo : Getty Images)
Recent NBA rumors have emerged that the Los Angeles Lakers are looking to bring back former center Dwight Howard to the Staples Center this summer if the team fails to snag big man Hassan Whiteside from the Miami Heat.
Morning News USA indicated that the Lakers could move for the three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year during the upcoming free-agency season as a "Plan B" if their "no. 1 big man target" Whiteside will not be available to be acquired from Miami.
The 30-year-old Howard is in the third year of his four-year, $87.6 million contract with the Houston Rockets that has a player option at the end of this season. He could then choose to opt in and stay with the Rockets or opt out and become an unrestricted free agent this July to try and test the free agent waters once again.
Plenty of rumors are emerging that the eight-time NBA All-Star is keen on exiting Houston in the summer after his relationship with fellow All-Star James Harden had soured in the past year.
The Rockets were said to be ready to let go of the five-time All-NBA First Team player as well, as the ballclub had actually "aggressively shopped" Howard before the NBA trade deadline last month. Team officials just could not find the right deal, reports said, which delayed Howard's departure from Houston.
ESPN reported that the list of teams that have asked about Howard's availability last month includes the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Heat.
It was mentioned in the report, though, that Howard does not want to be dealt and is keen on staying with the Rockets to try and work things out with Harden.
A Howard-Lakers reunion may seem far-fetched after the two parties' recent history, but with Kobe Bryant set to retire this summer, it could be possible that the notorious center may be welcomed back to Hollywood.
If that happens, then Dwight will be happy to become the Lakers' lone superstar this time around with a young and effective core trio of D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, and Julius Randle around him.
