With NBA free agency rapidly approaching, the odds continue to change in favor of teams other than the Los Angeles Lakers to sign superstar center Dwight Howard.
Although Howard has not publicly made any indication in terms of which team he is leaning toward signing with, the perennial All-Star is rumored to be seriously considering the Houston Rockets as an option in free agency.
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The recent talk of Howard potentially leaning in the direction of signing with the Rockets has made such an impact that oddsmakers are starting to favor the Rockets over the Lakers to sign arguably the best center in the NBA. Sportsbook.com recently changed their odds to favor Houston:
Houston Rockets +120
Los Angeles Lakers +110
Dallas Mavericks +800
Golden State Warriors +800
Brooklyn Nets +1000
Atlanta Hawks +1200
Field (Any Other Team) +800
With about a month left before the start of free agency on July 1, Howard’s immediate future is still yet to be determined. The consensus at the end of the season and even a few weeks ago was Howard would be headed back to the Lakers by signing a five-year deal, but now it appears that anything can happen.
The Rockets are very much in play with the team already intent on making moves in order to make room for Howard. Houston may not be able to offer Howard the amount the Lakers will be ready to give him, but the Rockets do have the advantage of no state income tax in Houston and having a talented young team.
The combination of Howard, James Harden, Jeremy Lin, Chandler Parsons and Omer Asik could be dangerous in a stacked Western Conference that is filled with young and talented teams on the rise. Howard’s interest in signing with the Rockets comes as no surprise with Houston being an intriguing option, but the Lakers aren’t out of the running yet with the star center still considering a return to Los Angeles on a long-term basis.
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