Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard opted out of his contract on Wednesday and is set to hit the open market.
The 30-year-old center declined to pick up an option on Tuesday to add a fourth year to the contract he signed with Houston in 2013. In the process, he turned down a salary of almost $23.3 million. Still, it’s likely that even with his play appearing to be in decline, Howard will be able to make that up, and then some, when free agency opens July 1.
The NBA’s salary cap is about to make a major leap, from around $70 million this past season to well over $90 million in 2016-17, giving teams plenty of cash to throw at available players. Howard, an eight-time all-star and three-time defensive player of the year, averaged 13.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, with an 18.9 player efficiency rating, in 71 games for the Rockets this season.
Those numbers are, for the most part, Howard’s lowest since his rookie year, after the Orlando Magic made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 draft. However, they are more than enough to intrigue several teams, especially those looking to shore up their interior defense.
Technically, the Rockets could still sign Howard to a new contract, but it is far more likely that he has played his last game for the team, particularly in the wake of its hiring of Mike D’Antoni as coach. That pair clashed when both were with the Lakers in 2012-13, and Howard is reportedly already tired of seeing his role diminish in Houston, where James Harden dominates the ball.
In April, ESPN’s Calvin Watkins suggested that teams strongly interested in Howard could include the Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets and the Magic. Other free-agent options at center include Hassan Whiteside, Al Jefferson, Bismack Biyombo, Joakim Noah and Zaza Pachulia. Restricted free agents include Andre Drummond, Festus Ezeli and another Rocket, Donatas Motiejunas.
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