• Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)

Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard could return to the Orlando Magic come free agency, according to the latest NBA rumors.

Howard is expected to hit free agency this summer and opt out in the final year of his four-year $87.5 million contract with the Rockets. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year has been linked to several NBA rivals, but according to Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report, Howard could potentially make a return to the team that drafted and nurtured him to be one of the league's dominating big men.

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"League sources tell me that the Magic have heard through backchannels that Howard would entertain a return to the Magic kingdom," Bucher disclosed.

"Make no mistake: His first option would be to remain with the Rockets, but if Houston is not on board with that Howard is exploring his options and Orlando is on the list."


The Rockets continue to fight for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. After defeating the Toronto Raptors 112-109 on Friday, the Rockets are now sitting at the seventh spot, but are only half-a-game ahead of ninth place Utah Jazz, while tying the Dallas Mavericks in game differentials.

There is a growing sense that if the Rockets miss the postseason for the first time since the 2011-12, there is less chance Howard would return to Houston.

On the other hand, his return to the Magic could be the "best thing" that has happened to Orlando since the 30-year-old center forced himself out via trade, according to Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel.

"He would not only be seen in a heroic light once more, but Howard actually would be a face of a franchise with an Orlando remix. He'd be The Man again. Dwight could even one-up Shaq in franchise lore with a comebaq," Schmitz wrote.

If Howard decides to return to Orlando, the 11-year NBA veteran could mentor the Magic center Nikola Vucevic and lead the team's' core of young talents.

While Howard would certainly get plenty of suitors this summer, it is no guarantee that he would be the top star in teams like the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks or even the Rockets. In Orlando, Howard would be the alpha male.