The Houston Rockets had a solid season in 2012-2013 and after taking the Oklahoma City Thunder to six games in the NBA playoffs mostly without starting point guard Jeremy Lin, the team is ready to take the next step next season and part of that could be by signing Dwight Howard.
The Rockets finished eighth in the Western conference and could have been higher had they not lost the final game of the season to the Lakers and the emergence of James Harden and players like Lin and Chandler Parsons shows that the team is ready to do even better next season. Coach Kevin McHale meshed well with his players and Harden thrived in his system while starting for the first time after being traded to the team from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Harden didn't get his revenge on his old team in the playoffs, but that could change next season depending on how Houston attacks free agency this summer with Dwight Howard and Chris Paul.
The playoff series against the Thunder was a nice preview for the Rockets, as they battled back from three games down to push things to Game 6, but they couldn't extend things further. In Game 2 both Lin and Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook were hurt, with Lin suffering a chest injury that kept him out of the action in the next couple games while also forcing him to come off the bench, while Westbrook was knocked out for the playoffs. Patrick Beverley was playing since Lin was hurt and he was the one who collided with Westbrook's knee.
Without Lin, Harden was relied on even more and he came through with flying colors and proved that he is a star player in the league and worth the max contract that the Thunder refused to give him. Playing another season in the Houston system will only help Harden, as will another year playing alongside Lin, who wasn't stellar but was very solid after coming over from the Knicks on a three-year contract. The team may try to add more size in the offseason to go alongside Omer Asik, and one main option could be Howard.
The Lakers will try to keep Howard, but after how last season went there is a good chance that he will leave and one place he could end up is in Houston. The team traded away Patrick Patterson and Marcus Morris and GM Daryl Morey is not afraid to make a big move, as he did with Harden, and he could try it again with Howard, whether it be a straight signing or even a sign and trade so that he can get more money. The team also could go after Josh Smith from the Hawks when he hits free agency and that could be if they aren't' able to bring in Dwight. Smith will be asking for a nice chunk of money, which could scare off the Rockets, but they also gave Lin $25 million, so anything is possible.
Another option for the Rockets is to wait out for the 2014 offseason when a number of players will be free agents or will have options to be, including LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh as well as names like Pau Gasol, Danny Granger and Luol Deng. The team could sign a number of those players and adding Howard would make them a championship contender in 2013.
