The sweepstakes to land Dwight Howard in NBA free agency continues.
The Dallas Mavericks have officially been eliminated from contention in terms of signing Howard, but the Los Angeles Lakers may be the next team to get knocked out according to David Aldridge of NBA.com via Twitter:
Source says Howard’s top two, after trade, are–in no order of preference–Golden State and Houston. Lakers not eliminated, but now behind.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 5, 2013
Throughout the entire process over the last few days, the Lakers and Houston Rockets have been the clear front-runners. The Lakers were considered the favorites once last season officially came to an end, but now the Rockets appear to be the team at the top of the veteran center’s wishlist.
The Golden State Warriors made multiple moves on Friday in order to clear cap space and bring in another talented player in the form of Andre Iguodala. Golden State may have to pull off a sign-and-trade with the Lakers and the team is more than willing to do that, but Los Angeles may be reluctant to take on contracts that go beyond 2014.
Despite the recent report of the Golden State Warriors and Rockets being ahead of the Lakers, the storied NBA franchise will be in the running to sign the league’s best center until he announces otherwise.