Dwight Howard is set to be the biggest free agent on the market this summer and while the Los Angeles Lakers are planning to do all that they can to sign the star center, there is a good chance that he is planning to go elsewhere after leaving the Orlando Magic last year.
According to a report from NBC Sports, the current favorite to land Howard is the Houston Rockets after their successful season with James Harden and Jeremy Lin in the fold, although a decision by Howard has yet to be made. Howard has been criticized over the past two years for not being more forceful about where he wants to play and the Lakers are hoping for a quick choice, so that if he picks another team they can move on and try to sign someone else if they want to. The trade for Howard didn't really work out for either side, although the Lakers did end up making the playoffs anyway, but they were swept away by the Spurs in four games.
Howard can't join another team until July, but that hasn't stopped people from speculating about what he will do and he has already said that he will speak to other team in free agency apart from the Lakers, including the Mavericks, Rockets and Cavaliers. Houston has become the front runner according to CBS, saying that he feels the moves they have made put them in a position for a championship.
The team out up a good fight against the Thunder in six games after going down 3-0 and with Harden and Lin leading a solid team with names like Chandler Parsons and Omer Asik, Howard could see himself fitting in. The Mavericks are also a good possibility, as Dirk is planning to take a big pay cut and that could open the door for Howard. The Lakers had a tough season with Howard but the team started to play much better at the end of the year before Kobe got hurt and if Howard returns the team may be able to pick, up where they left off before the injury.
Howard would join a great list of big man names if he stays with the Lakers, but he also will be intrigued from talk from teams like the New York Knicks, Cavaliers, Mavericks, Nets or Boston Celtics, who all could make a pitch for him to come to their city.
From the CBS Report: "With the Lakers hoping for a swift decision from Dwight Howard on his free agency this summer, the All-Star center has given no indication he will rush the process and has privately indicated that he plans to give strong consideration to multiple teams, league sources told CBSSports.com.