As everyone ponders on the eventual destination of this year's top free agent, Dwight Howard, the Houston Rockets believe they're the "clear leader" and already have begun the process of building a team solely around him.
According to sources who've analyzed the situation, the Rockets hold a 60% chance of signing Howard, compared to the Lakers 40%, thus making them the frontrunners to make a deal.
"The Rockets were built to run up and down and are now going to have to play through Dwight, which they promised him they would do," says a source. "If Omer Asik doesn't work as a four, they'll have to move him, which they can do."
The Rockets now also have the ability to offer a four-year $88 million max contract deal after shedding the contract of Thomas Robinson in a trade with the Portland Trailblazers over the weekend.
Houston also waived the contracts of veterans Aaron Brooks and Carlos Delfino earlier on Sunday to clear more space in their salary-cap.
As for his other suitors, according to the same source, the Dallas Mavericks stand little chance unless owner Mark Cuban "pulls off a miracle."
Howard's agent Dan Fegan has been pushing for a deal with Dallas, which would explain why they keep coming up in previous rumors, but Howard hasn't shown that much interest. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors were also rumored to be in pursuit and have already had their meeting with Howard, but a deal is highly unlikely being that the team has no cap room and can't be a destination without doing a sign-and-trade, which is something the Lakers are likely no to do.
"It's ridiculous they're even meeting," said a source. "Fegan is doing a favor for someone up there [in the Warrior organization]."
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