NBA Free Agency: Atlanta Hawks Giving Dwight Howard $70 Million

Sometimes, it’s good to go home. According to ESPN, Dwight Howard has agreed to terms on a contract with the Atlanta Hawks. The deal is reportedly a three-year pact worth approximately $70.5 million. While some will consider it quite the risky move, the Hawks needed to make an impact in free agency.

One of the worst kept secrets in the NBA last season was that Dwight Howard would opt out of his contract with the Houston Rockets and seek out a new home. With the salary cap reaching record levels, Howard had a chance to cash in. Plus, he reportedly was not happy playing with a ball-dominant player like James Harden.

Since he was born and raised in Georgia, Dwight Howard set up his first meeting in free agency with the Atlanta Hawks. The meeting went better than he could have expected, as the six-foot-11 center decided to sign a three-year contract without ever meeting another team.

Dwight Howard has agreed to 3-year, $70.5 million deal with Hawks (via @TheVertical & confirmed by ESPN). pic.twitter.com/Og4RJx56rA

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 1, 2016

According to Fox Sports, a big reason why Dwight Howard was so eager to leave the Houston Rockets was because management told him that they were not going to give him a bigger role. Howard had attempted to convince the general manager that he deserved to be more involved on offense.

The signing of Dwight Howard has led to speculations on Al Horford, who happens to be a free agent. NBA teams don’t generally spend $70.5 million on a backup. Howard is expected to be the starting center for the Atlanta Hawks next season.

Starting next to Dwight Howard next season should be Paul Millsap. He’s one of the most underrated power forwards in the NBA, despite making the All-Star team. Casual basketball fans do not pay much attention to the Atlanta Hawks, so much of what Millsap does goes unnoticed.

Rounding out the starting front court for the Atlanta Hawks should be Kent Bazemore. According to SB Nation, the Hawks are signing Bazemore to a new four-year contract worth approximately $70 million. Bazement was vital to the Hawks because he was the one that guarded the best opposing perimeter players.

Dwight Howard should have a bigger role on offense with the Atlanta Hawks than he did with the Houston Rockets. Under head coach Mike Budenholzer, the team runs an offensive system that requires a lot of ball movement. All five players get a chance to do some damage on offense.

For eight straight years, Dwight Howard was selected to the All-Star game. He hasn’t been involved in the past two seasons. Howard is hoping that the Atlanta Hawks offensive system will enable him to make a return to the game. It also helps that he’s back in the Eastern Conference.

For the past couple of years, the Atlanta Hawks have struggled to get past LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Playoffs. Though the team was able to win a lot of games, management knew that a change was needed.

Dwight Howard might be the missing piece. The Atlanta Hawks increase their chances against the Cleveland Cavaliers even more by convincing Al Horford to re-sign with the team. Stacking up the front court could enable them to finally get to the NBA Finals.

Nothing is really guaranteed in free agency. There have been plenty of players in the NBA who have failed to live up to the big contracts that they are given. Dwight Howard could become one of those players. However, he also could become a game changer and difference maker.

[Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images]