Dwight Howard (Photo : Getty Images)
The New York Knicks opened the offseason with a huge trade that got them Derrick Rose.
However, they now have a huge hole in the middle when they sent back Robin Lopez. Last year's rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis is not ready to play center yet and he would be better off as a tall stretch four. They need a defensive center who can grab rebounds and play the role of rim protector.
There is one center that has three-time Defensive Player of the Year on his resume and he happens to be available.
As the Knicks have addressed their point guard needs via trade, they can now focus their cap space to acquire a center. Dwight Howard is now officially a free agent severing his ties with the Houston Rockets.
According to Bobby Marks of The Vertical at Yahoo Sports, even after the recent trade, they Knicks have some cap space they can use to sign free agents.
"New York has six players under contract, including the non-guaranteed contract for Tony Wroten," Marks explained. New York will have $12 million in cap space before the free-agent cap holds are addressed. The likely scenario for the Knicks would be to leave the holds of Derrick Williams and Langston Galloway on the books. Leaving the two holds would give New York $30 million in room to address needs in free agency."
With that amount to work with, that would be more than enough to sign Howard. He declined a player option that would have given him $23 million for the next season. While the Knicks would probably not match that amount for Howard, it is speculated that D12 is looking for a long-term deal even for a lower sum.
With the rise of the salary cap being higher than previously expected, it's reasonable to thing that Howard could still get a $20 million annual take for 4 years. If the Knicks would bid on Howard, would he want to play in Madison Square Garden? SNYTV says "yes."
"Howard has reportedly told friends he's interested in playing for the Knicks although it is unclear if that interest is reciprocated."
That declaration was corroborated by Ian Begley of ESPN via Twitter.
"The Knicks are one of several teams Dwight Howard would consider in free agency, per sources."
It seems like Howard is bound to find a new home in the Big Apple. With Rose, Howard, Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis, even if all the risks fail, the team is bound to be interesting.
