Is Dwight Howard Having Second Thoughts About The Houston Rockets Deal?
Howard to Houston is reportedly not yet a done deal so the so-called “Dwightmare” may continue a little bit longer.
Free-agent-to-be Dwight Howard reportedly may have changed his mind about signing with the Houston Rockets.
ESPN is reporting that it’s now 50-50 that he may stay with the Los Angeles Lakers after all even after apparently telling the team earlier today that he had decided to sign a contract with Houston. According to an unnamed source supposedly close to the situation, “He changed his mind. Hey, he’s Dwight. What can you say.”
Howard can’t officially sign with any team until July 10 under NBA rules. Howard’s indecisiveness may stem from the $30 million difference between the Lakers deal and what Houston can offer him. “The Lakers can give Howard a five-year deal worth $118 million while Houston and all other teams can only offer $88 million over four years.” The $30 million apparently is an issue for the star center because of back injuries that could possibly spell doom for his career.
Kobe Bryant is on record hoping that the Lakers would retain Howard’s services. “Those guys are hard to find, they don’t grow on trees. When you have someone like that with his talent level, you have to be able to keep him and lock him in with this franchise,” he said.
The 27-year-old center was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in August 2012 after playing for the Orlando Magic for eight years. Howard is a seven-time NBA All Star and a five-time NBA rebounding leader who went right from high school to the pros. For his NBA career thus far, he is averaging 18 points per game and almost 13 rebounds per game. The Lakers were swept out of the 2013 playoffs in the first round, and Howard became a free agent at the end of this season.
In an update, ESPN is now reporting that Lakers General Manger Mitch Kupchak has confirmed that Howard is joining the Houston Rockets, so the Houston deal may indeed be going forward.
Where do you think Dwight Howard will eventually end up — Houston or Los Angeles?
Added: Dwight Howard has just tweeted the following statement: “I’ve decided to become a member of the Houston Rockets. I feel its the best place for me and I am excited about joining the Rockets and I’m looking forward to a great season. I want to thank the fans in Los Angeles and wish them the best.”
