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Howard set for switch to Rockets
July 7, 2013, Sunday
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DWIGHT Howard is joining the Houston Rockets, leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after one disappointing season to chase championships with fellow All-Star James Harden.
"I've decided to become a member of the Houston Rockets. I feel (it's) the best place for me and I am excited about joining the Rockets and I'm looking forward to a great season," Howard wrote on Twitter on Friday night.
Howard, the National Basketball Association's most dominant and indecisive big man who had never been fully comfortable playing under Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni, joins a Rockets team that could become an immediate contender in the Western Conference.
The Lakers confirmed earlier on Friday that Howard would be leaving. Dallas, Golden State and Atlanta were the other teams interested in Howard.
"Naturally we're disappointed," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement. "However, we will now move forward in a different direction with the future of the franchise."
The Rockets had brought Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon with them when they made their pitch to Howard last Monday. And now Howard, 27, will follow the likes of Olajuwon and Yao Ming in Houston's middle.
The deal can't become official until Wednesday, after next season's salary cap has been set. The Rockets can give him a four-year deal worth about US$88 million, a year less and far below the US$118 million the Lakers could have offered.
The Lakers acquired Howard last August from Orlando as part of a four-way trade. He averaged 17.1 points and 12.4 rebounds in 76 games, far from his usual dominant play in eight seasons with the Magic as he worked his way back into shape following back surgery.
He wasn't a natural fit in D'Antoni's offense, had what appeared at times to be a strained relationship with Kobe Bryant.
The Mavericks and Warriors, meanwhile, made other big moves as soon as it was clear they were out of the running for Howard.
Dallas came to an agreement with Spanish star Jose Calderon on a four-year, US$28 million contract, a person with knowledge of the deal said.
Calderon spent his first seven years with Toronto before the Raptors traded him to Detroit in January. The Spaniard has career averages of 10.1 points and 7.2 assists per game.
The Warriors reached an agreement with swingman Andre Iguodala on a US$48 million, four-year deal, according to two sources.
One source said the Warriors cleared over US$24 million in salary cap space by sending Richard Jefferson, Andris Biedrins and Brandon Rush to the Utah Jazz along with a package of draft picks.
Iguodala averaged 13 points, 5.4 assists and 5.3 rebounds last season for the Denver Nuggets, who lost to the Warriors in the opening round of the NBA playoffs. He spent his first eight years in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers and has averaged 15.1 points for his career.
"I've decided to become a member of the Houston Rockets. I feel (it's) the best place for me and I am excited about joining the Rockets and I'm looking forward to a great season," Howard wrote on Twitter on Friday night.
Howard, the National Basketball Association's most dominant and indecisive big man who had never been fully comfortable playing under Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni, joins a Rockets team that could become an immediate contender in the Western Conference.
The Lakers confirmed earlier on Friday that Howard would be leaving. Dallas, Golden State and Atlanta were the other teams interested in Howard.
"Naturally we're disappointed," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement. "However, we will now move forward in a different direction with the future of the franchise."
The Rockets had brought Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon with them when they made their pitch to Howard last Monday. And now Howard, 27, will follow the likes of Olajuwon and Yao Ming in Houston's middle.
The deal can't become official until Wednesday, after next season's salary cap has been set. The Rockets can give him a four-year deal worth about US$88 million, a year less and far below the US$118 million the Lakers could have offered.
The Lakers acquired Howard last August from Orlando as part of a four-way trade. He averaged 17.1 points and 12.4 rebounds in 76 games, far from his usual dominant play in eight seasons with the Magic as he worked his way back into shape following back surgery.
He wasn't a natural fit in D'Antoni's offense, had what appeared at times to be a strained relationship with Kobe Bryant.
The Mavericks and Warriors, meanwhile, made other big moves as soon as it was clear they were out of the running for Howard.
Dallas came to an agreement with Spanish star Jose Calderon on a four-year, US$28 million contract, a person with knowledge of the deal said.
Calderon spent his first seven years with Toronto before the Raptors traded him to Detroit in January. The Spaniard has career averages of 10.1 points and 7.2 assists per game.
The Warriors reached an agreement with swingman Andre Iguodala on a US$48 million, four-year deal, according to two sources.
One source said the Warriors cleared over US$24 million in salary cap space by sending Richard Jefferson, Andris Biedrins and Brandon Rush to the Utah Jazz along with a package of draft picks.
Iguodala averaged 13 points, 5.4 assists and 5.3 rebounds last season for the Denver Nuggets, who lost to the Warriors in the opening round of the NBA playoffs. He spent his first eight years in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers and has averaged 15.1 points for his career.
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