Dwight Howard could very well be headed to play for his fourth team in five years.
The free agent center has set up free agent meetings with the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks, according to a report from ESPN’s Marc Stein and Chris Broussard. They say he could meet with as many as five teams during the free agency process.
Though Howard is only 30, he has played 12 seasons in the league (he entered the league straight out of high school). He is an eight-time All-Star yet he is far removed from the three straight Defensive Player of the Year awards he won.
Howard’s numbers have been in decline as he has battled back injuries and played limited minutes. Last season with the Rockets he played 32.1 minutes per game and averaged 13.7 points per game — his lowest mark since his rookie season. His declined offensive role led to friction between him and James Harden.
Though Howard is no longer the player he was during his prime, he is only two seasons removed from a conference finals run, and he still is one of the best big men in the league. Whether he goes to the emerging Boston Celtics led by coaching genius Brad Stevens, or whether he goes to his hometown Atlanta Hawks, or another team, we fully expect him to be a difference maker.
What’s interesting to note is that after four straight seasons in the difficult Western Conference, Howard may be prepared to return to the East, where he spent the first eight seasons of his career. If he does sign with a team in the East, we expect that squad to be a top-four team in the conference next season.
