The NBA offseason will belong to Dwight Howard. The All-Star center, who doesn't become an eligible free agent for another couple weeks, has already begun to stir a hornets nest of rumors, reminiscent of last summer, without saying a single word. The Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks are the latest NBA teams linked to Howard.
The most credible rumor thus far is Howard and the Houston Rockets. Ken Berger of CBS Sports reported a source as indicating to him that Howard will explore his options in free agency and that re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers isn't imminent.
Berger also reported that Houston is viable to Howard for both its salary cap situation and its players. Houston lost in the first round of the playoffs, but they have a solid, young core of players to build around. Center Omer Asik, 26, averaged a double-double last season and would complement Howard on the defensive end.
Howard joining with Asik could create a modern-day "Twin Towers" frontcourt, reminiscent of the Tim Duncan and David Robinson days in San Antonio.
Houston's budding All-Star James Harden, 23, is another enticing factor for Howard. Harden's production last season (25.9 ppg, 5.8 assists, 4.9 rebounds) would alleviate some of the pressure on Howard to carry the team by himself.
Harden is also actively courting Howard to play in Houston, similar to the way Miami's Big-Three hooked up in 2010.
A report from ESPN also suggested that Howard is not a lock to return to Los Angeles. Howard was frustrated playing for coach Mike D'Antoni and voiced his frustrations in a meeting with Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak. With Bryant likely retiring after next season and Pau Gasol not guaranteed to stick around, the Lakers roster suddenly loses some of its attractiveness.
USA Today reported on Tuesday that Howard is "torn" between signing with the Lakers and Rockets. While he is said to enjoy playing for a big market team, he has reservations about D'Antoni.
Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks are also expected to pursue Howard, although it's anyone's guess what interest Howard has in playing there.
Howard will, again, be the free agent this offseason. Rumors will intensify once free agency formally begins, and they won't cease until Howard signs. If Howard learned anything from the frenzy last summer, he'll explore his options very quietly.
