Dwight Howard is set to become a free agent following the conclusion of the 2013 NBA season and after a season in Los Angeles that saw the team struggle mightily at times before finding their way into the postseason, it remains to be seen where Howard will play moving forward.
While Howard is sure to be a hot commodity this summer, there are two teams that stand out to Howard the most regarding where he could potentially play at the start of the 2013-2014 campaign. According to NBC Sports, those two franchises are the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets.
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Following his ejection from L.A.'s final game of the regular season this year, Howard told reporters he wants time to think over another major decision he'll have to make this offseason.
"I'm going to step away from everything for a couple weeks and clear my head before I do or talk about anything, as far as next season," Howard told Sports Illustrated. "I think I deserve that. That's what I'm going to do."
Dwight Howard was a fan-favorite throughout his 8-year career as a member of the Orlando Magic, the team that drafted him with the first selection in the 2004 NBA Draft. Howard had an impact on the organization immediately, playing his way onto 5 All-Star teams while leading the league in blocks during the 2009 and 2010 campaigns.
Despite his constant success with the Magic - including a trip to the 2008-2009 NBA Finals - Howard repeatedly requested trades from the organization. In August of 2012, Howard received his wish as he was sent to the Lakers as part of a 4-team deal that also involved the Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets.
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Fully aware that his starting center is free to explore other opportunities around the league, Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak wants nothing more than to see the 6'11" powerhouse return to Los Angeles.
"I know in my heart that this is a place where I think he should be," Kupchak said to Sports Illustrated. "We have a great legacy, great history of great players in this city dating back to when the franchise came here in 1960, and he certainly fits the mold."
If Howard does not elect to re-sign with the Lakers, the Houston Rockets certainly make sense.
Howard would join a talented core of sharp-shooter Chandler Parsons, premier scorer James Harden and fellow post-presence Omer Asik. The addition of Dwight Howard would undoubtedly make the Rockets a contender, especially considering the fact that Houston played extremely well in a first round playoff loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier this month, setting up franchise success moving forward.
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A decision to play for the Dallas Mavericks would also fit the superstar's skillset.
The Mavericks struggled this past season, missing the playoffs for the first time since the 1999-2000 season. Pairing Dwight Howard with an NBA Champion and future Hall of Famer in Dirk Nowitzki would certainly provide Dallas with a strong one-two punch in the already competitive Western Conference.
To make matters a bit easier for Dallas, Dirk has already offered to take a pay cut if it would help the organization sign the All-Star.
"I'll definitely be a little involved. But I'll be in the draft 'war room' for the first time, order some pizza and talk some basketball," Nowitzki said to Slam On-Line. "I got one year left on this deal and then I'm coming off the books. So if that helps for us to be better, I'm going to take a pay cut. That's part of the pitch."
There will be potential suitors for Dwight Howard at every corner once he becomes a free agent in July.
Wherever Howard decides to sign, you can be sure he'll be a tremendous focal point on the offensive and defensive ends, something that makes Houston and Dallas intriguing teams since both squads need help at each end of the floor.
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