There are four teams reportedly in the running to sign Dwight Howard
According to a report, Orlando, Milwaukee, Portland and Charlotte are the favorites to sign Dwight Howard in free agency.
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2 min read
Chandler Parsons wants Dwight Howard to join the Dallas Mavericks next season but he may not get his wish. According to ESPN's Calvin Watkins, the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Hornets are the favorites to sign Howard in free agency.
The Rockets will have a comprehensive list of coaches to view whenever the season ends. Bickerstaff, who remains in good standing with management, will be part of that conversation. Alexander and Morey believe that Harden will play a role in helping to hire a coach and potentially sign free agents.
Howard is not expected to have a role. It's expected that he will become a free agent and seek a new team. Orlando, Milwaukee, Portland and Charlotte are the favorites.
As Watkins reports, Howard is expected to opt out of his contract with the Houston Rockets this summer. Opting out will likely get Howard more money and also a change of scenery, as he and the Rockets haven't experienced the success they thought they would when they first agreed to terms in 2013.
This is the second time that the Magic have been linked to Howard. Back in March, there was a report that Howard was interested in going back to Orlando and the reunion makes some sense. The Magic can get a big name veteran free agent to appease their fans and Howard can return to a place where he is comfortable and was successful.
The Bucks were rumored to trying to trade for Howard around this season's NBA trade deadline but Dwight reportedly didn't want to opt to in his contract. Howard has told Bucks announcer Gus Johnson that he likes Milwaukee, so perhaps both sides will revisit this possible destination in the summer.
For Portland and Charlotte, Howard could be a nice fit as well, giving both teams a veteran presence that can protect the rim and score down low on lobs and pick-and-rolls.
Signing Howard, however, would change the expectations for all four teams. Making the playoffs wouldn't be good enough. An extended postseason run will be expected.
Would these teams want to make that type of jump or would they rather further develop their core and see what happens in the future?
These are the types of questions these teams will have to figure out in the offseason. All four teams are small-market teams, so adding a player of Howard's caliber, which usually rarely occurs for teams of this size, would be a coup of sorts. Howard is no longer an elite player but is still one of the better big men in the league and a more than capable contributor on both ends of the floor. He would be a solid addition to any team and a small market team like the Magic or Bucks, very likely could use their increasing cap space to sign Howard this summer.
