The Los Angeles Lakers traded for Dwight Howard to keep him with the team for the long haul, but it looks increasingly more likely that when he tests free agency in one month he will depart for someone like the Dallas Maverick or Houston Rockets.
According to ESPN.com, the Rockets are looking like the top option for Howard, as he loved the way James Harden plays and feels that the team can be a championship contender with him in the fold. Harden was an All-Star with Howard and after getting traded, both players feel like they have something to prove to the league. Howard said that he plans on meeting in person with both teams and some others include the Warriors, Hawks, Nets and possible the Knicks, but that is very unlikely.
No one can formally talk to Howard until free agency begins, but that doesn't mean that speculation won't run wild about it. ESPN has reported that the Rockets are planning to make moves to give themselves a shot at Howard, including trading away Thomas Robinson so that they can give a max contract to Howard. GM Daryl Morey is not afraid to make a move, like he did with Harden, and he knows the analytics game and can see the impact he will have on the floor. He wasn't afraid to go after Jeremy Lin and now with Howard available the team is expected to make a big push.
The Mavericks would like to try and sign him, but they may be another year from contending again and while the Lakers will make a big push, his season there is an indication that he will likely leave. The Clippers are dealing with trying to sign Chris Paul so that means they are likely out of any chance at Howard, while the Lakers would love to keep him after trading for him last year and want him to stay long term.
Howard reportedly didn't get along with Mike D'Antoni and it could hinge on whether Kobe Bryant ends up back fully healthy with the team. The Lakers are an older team and after getting swept out of the playoffs by the Spurs, the franchise knows it needs to keep Howard or they need to make a move to contend in the West. The Rockets, Warriors, Thunder and Spurs are all good opponents and the Grizzlies are a force to be reckoned with, meaning that if the Lakers don't act, they could be left behind.
Howard is one of the best defensive players in the NBA and he will impact any team greatly that he signs with. The Rockets would become one of the favorites in the West with him and Harden in the fold and another year for Lin will only make him better. The team has a solid bench with Chandler Parsons and Howard could be the missing piece of the puzzle.
