If one summer of uncertainty wasn’t enough, Dwight Howard looks ready to put the Los Angeles Lakers and their fans through a summer of unpredictability.
Leaks are coming through from sources in his camp that he is unlikely to re-sign with the 16-time champion franchise.
The 27-year-old big man is still regarded as the best centre in the Association when healthy.
Even when battling back injuries he was able to post numbers of 17.1ppg and 12.4rpg.
The level of defence and athleticism on offense that Dwight can bring when healthy has opened up his name up to a large amount of suitors this off season as the free agency frenzy looks set to get underway.
Three suitors seem to be chasing him quite heavily, The Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and the Atlanta Hawks.
All three teams have the cap space to offer Dwight the max contract that he believes he deserves.
However, Atlanta seems to be fading out of the picture as Dwight has shown little to no interest in the past in playing for his hometown team.
The Houston Rockets seem to have the most appeal to Dwight, as they have a young core led by All-Star shooting guard James Harden.
Dwight seems most intrigued by playing alongside Harden and attempting to lead the Rockets back to the pinnacle of the western conference after almost 20 years since they last took centre stage.
Another reason seems to be that Dwight has developed a strong friendship with Houston swing man and three-point specialist Chandler Parsons. Parsons has kept constant contact with Dwight over the phone in an attempt to entice the big man to come play with him in Houston.
The other team in the picture the Dallas Mavericks have been public in their need to sign a new franchise anchor to pair with Dirk Nowitski.
Dallas seems to be another enticing option for Dwight as they look to make one last championship hurrah with 35-year-old Nowitski’s career fading into the twilight.
They have the cap space to make it happen as well rumours are starting to surface that they are pursuing a trade with the Boston Celtics in order to land Rajon Rondo.
This being said it seems that if Mavericks are indeed able to pull a Dwight Howard signing and a trade for Rajon Rondo they would immediately jump into title contention in the Western Conference, returning to a place they once took by storm three seasons ago by winning the 2011 NBA title.
Wherever Dwight ends up going, his presence will instantly make the team better.
He still is the best big man in the game when healthy.
However it looks like sad times for the LA Lakers as they could be left without nothing a season after the blockbuster trade to acquire the big man.
They may have to battle NBA purgatory with an unhappy Kobe Bryant left on his own trying to chase that sixth ring he covets so badly.
My tip? With all that being said this writer can almost be certain that Dwight Howard will be going to the Houston Rockets.
Let the summer of Dwight, part two, begin.
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