:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49988721/usa-today-9081708.0.jpg)
I didn't believe it when Daryl Morey said this on Adrian Wojnarowski's podcast earlier this month, and I still am not quite convinced, but the noise is out there: the Rockets are apparently going to go after Dwight Howard in free agency.
USA Today's Sam Amick, on Woj's in terms of journalistic credibility, says Houston is pursuing a contract with Dwight Howard below the max that he's seeking. Yes, even after we've already written our obituary on his Houston tenure, there is reportedly a chance Superman isn't moving to another Metropolis just yet.
Concurrently, Dwight Howard went on Jason Terry's radio show this evening and discussed his free agency. He's reportedly scheduled meetings with his hometown Hawks and the Celtics, but he said his agent is handling those and he's keeping his options wide open.
Dwight Howard says he doesn't need the ball every time down the floor, but he just wants to feel involved in the offense.
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) June 29, 2016
"I don't know right now where I will be and I haven't counted any team out. I'm going into free agency open minded." - Dwight Howard
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) June 29, 2016
"All the bigs, we really need to stick together." - @DwightHoward
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) June 29, 2016
"In order to win you really have to have a presence in the paint." - Dwight on the changing NBA style of play.
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) June 29, 2016
Dwight Howard says he's limited the amount of conversations he's had about potential destinations so he goes into meetings with a clear mind
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) June 29, 2016
.@jasonterry31 highlights the #Hornets and #Mavs as teams that could also get involved in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes.
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) June 29, 2016
My feelings about Dwight Howard returning are no secret. Not only did he admit to not trying for stretches last season, he also has a fundamental misunderstanding of what a good offense is and how he can contribute to one. The Rockets would be better served with just Clint Capela starting and spending their money elsewhere on the roster. Even if Morey truly does believe Dwight Howard is still a star-level player in the NBA, reality begs to differ.
Hopefully, this is just talk to drive up the price for other teams. I wouldn't mind the Hawks deciding they'd rather pay Dwight $20 million per year than Al Horford $25 million, clearing the way for him to sign in Houston. That'd be nice. Since that would be a smart thing to do, I'm just going to assume that's what is really going on in Morey's head.