Dwight Howard could conceivably be playing his last season with the Houston Rockets, and he might not even make it through the entire campaign.
Howard currently finds himself in a position to get his hands on some of the new television money that is coming to the NBA next year. The salary cap is expected to increase by anywhere from $67 million to $89 million, and Howard can opt out of his current deal this summer. Sam Amick of USA Today reports that the Rockets are “expecting” Howard to opt out and become a free agent.
He really has little reason not to. If Howard sticks with his current deal, he will make $23.2 million next season and become a free agent at age 31. As Amick notes, the first year of a new max contract would pay about $31 million. Even if Howard, who has not played well this season, is unable to sign a full max deal with the Rockets or another team, he should have no problem getting more than the $23.2 million he would make by opting in.
Howard is averaging just 12.6 points per game this season, which is his lowest total since his rookie season. The 12-14 Rockets have been incredibly disappointing through the early part of the season, and Howard’s play has not helped. Is he simply off to a slow start, or could the skills of a 30-year-old, 6-foot-11, 265-pound center be starting to decline?
If Howard’s season continues along this path, teams could be hesitant to sign him to a massive deal — Houston included. Factor in the rumors that he is not getting along with James Harden, and you have to wonder if the Rockets are best off trying to trade Howard before the Feb. 18 deadline.
Rockets GM Daryl Morey says the team will not look to deal Howard, and Dwight came out and blasted the report about him being unhappy this week. But a lot can change in two months. If Houston doesn’t show signs of improvement, a divorce from Howard might make a lot of sense.
