Dwight Howard Report: Free Agent Has Several Teams Interested

A report says that Dwight Howard might have a number of options to play for next NBA season.

The soon-to-be free agent seems likely to be leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after one disappointing season, and reports say that several teams are interested in acquiring Howard.

Dwight Howard reportedly wants to take free agency slowly, meeting with several teams to see which situation fits best, wrote Ken Berger of CBSSports.com. This could set up a situation similar to LeBron James, who went into the 2010 offseason as a highly sought-after free agent and met with several teams before choosing the Miami Heat.

When free agency comes in six weeks, Dwight Howard will likely see interest from several NBA teams. Top of the list appears to be Houston, which would have a good supporting cast and the cap space to bring in the All-Star center.

The Dallas Mavericks are also in the hunt, as owner Mark Cuban and his deep pockets could make a strong bid for Howard.

Howard’s time with the Lakers can only go down as disappointing. Brought in during a busy offseason in which the team also acquired guard Steve Nash. Howard was expected to be part of the Western Conference’s answer to the Miami Heat.

Instead, the Lakers stumbled out of the gate while Howard struggled to gel with his teammates. He was plagued by injury and some behind-the-scenes spats with management and other players.

When Kobe Bryant went down late in the season with an Achilles injury, Dwight Howard had the chance to step up and lead the team, but could not. The Lakers were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in their first-round playoff series.

While it’s not clear yet which team Dwight Howard will report to in 2013, the next few weeks promise to be an interesting time in finding out.