Dwight Howard (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The NBA Free Agency rumors continue to buzz and Dwight Howard could be a big name on the move.
The former three-time Defensive Player of the Year still puts up a double-double, but he's no longer the imposing presence that instills fear on the opposing team. Yet there are teams that want his services as they feel that a defensive center is all they need.
The Orlando Magic rumors are quite far-fetched. Even though Stan Van Gundy is no longer with the team, it's just too much of an awkward situation and the fans would not forget (this is not Cleveland).
However, there is still a big chance that Dwight Howard moves back to the Eastern Conference. For one thing, the Houston Rockets doesn't seem keen on re-signing him. According to team site Space City Scoop, the Rockets are better off without Howard, even on defense.
"It's probably not too much of a shocker that our offense picks up pace with Howard off the floor (from 95 to 99). The 'really?' comes in when you see that the Rockets' defense is still pretty good-if not better-when Howard is on the bench. Capela gives the Rockets a faster pace , lower turnover ratio, and better defensive and offensive ratings than Howard," SCS stated.
Dwight Howard has declared that he will opt out of his contract and he most probably will. When that happens, fans suggest that Houston should be inclined to just let him walk away.
The main candidates for Howard's services are two teams that aggressively tried to trade for him at the deadline: The Charlotte Hornets and the Milwaukee Bucks.
The two teams went on contrasting fates this season. Milwaukee was the breakthrough team last year with young talent like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker and Khris Middleton, they only needed a center and they got it when Greg Monroe signed with them instead of New York.
However, Monroe was not an ideal fit and his defensive shortcomings brought the team out of the playoffs. This is where Howard comes in.
In contrast, the Charlotte Hornets was this year's breakthrough team with their offense concentrated on the backcourt with Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lin. Nic Batum was also a prize acquisition for them, and they are most likely to qualify for playoff contention.
In this SB Nation report, the Hornets did try to acquire Howard with a rumored package centered on Al Jefferson and Spencer Hawes, but the Rockets didn't bite and the Hornets did not want to trade bigger assets for an impending free agent, as Howard reportedly refused to opt in to the last year of his contract. Now, the Hornets could just sign him outright this summer.
