Five teams in the West Dwight Howard should land with.
Why it will happen:
At first glance, this move looks like a bit of a pipe dream. The Thunder just signed Kendrick Perkins to an extension and it isn’t likely that he would
enjoy being a back-up. There also are rumors of friction between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, who is going to have to realize he isn’t the alpha dog in OKC or get packing. Could a third star shine there? If LeBron, Wade and Chris Bosh can find a way to make it work, it’s possible that Durant, Westbrook and Howard could. The Thunder is already emerging as the best young team in the Western Conference. With Howard on board, it would just be unfair. The transition offense of the Thunder would be electrifying and Durant’s numbers would only grow, as Howard would protect the rim and allow the rest of the team to play with the comfort of knowing they had help at the basket if they get beat off the dribble.
Why it won’t happen:
Westbrook is about to get paid and he isn’t going to want to share that money. He’s already had a challenge sharing shots in the current series against Memphis, and the dude’s a freaking point guard for crying out loud. How would he react to being the third option on the team? We’re not sure and it’s enough to make the Thunder pause when considering mortgaging the future for a 1-2-3 punch, because we all know they would have to gut their supporting cast in order to get Howard.
Why it will happen:
Somehow nobody talks about Portland even though they possess an insane amount of talent. Adding Howard to a starting line-up that is one of the most physical in the game would be brutal for other teams in the West. Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge would become the best front court duo in basketball. Paired with Wesley Mathews or Brandon Roy at shooting guard, Gerald Wallace at small forward and veteran Andre Miller holding down the point, Howard would help Blazers fans, who are some of the best in the NBA, forget about the days of the Jail Blazers, and the more recent tragedy of Greg Oden.
Why it won’t happen:
How many players can Portland keep on their roster? It’s a legitimate question and the Blazers would have to examine which ones are worth giving up without ruining their team chemistry or philosophy. Howard would push head coach Nate McMillan to continue an offensive strategy predicated on feeding the low-post players, but would they be able to keep enough quality players in the back court to help bail out Howard and Aldridge when things got sticky down low? I’m not so sure. To add to that, there is no way that Howard’s Q rating goes up any more in Portland than it did in Orlando unless he wins a title. Yes, it matters.
Why it will happen:
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. In Daryl Morey we trust. The Rockets GM has been making his own bit of magic by getting a team that consists of offensive efficiency king Kevin Martin and a handful of good but not great players within playoff contention. The team let Rick Adelman go, perhaps in part to his frustration with the constant tinkering of the roster, so Morey has promised change is going to continue to come from the head coaching position on down. What could Howard do for a team that was ranked third in scoring, seventh in rebounds, first in assists, but also a floundering twenty-second in scoring defense? Wonders.
If Houston could somehow land Howard, the always hungry Rockets would have their answer to who is going to fill the interior with Yao Ming’s ongoing battle with injuries. Rockets fans would hate to see Yao go, as he has been an international ambassador to the game in Houston and is a fan favorite, but you can’t pass up on Howard if you get the chance. He could also continue to train under Hakeem Olajuwon, and the idea of Howard bringing back “The Dream Shake” is enough to make any Rockets fan hope that Superman gets the Rockets’ red glare in his eye.
Why it won’t happen:
Aside from Tracy McGrady, what top ten player has come to Houston in the last fifteen years through either a trade or free agency? The Rockets are used to getting their superstar centers through the NBA Draft, because H-Town is not the most desired destination. Could Howard win a ring with the supporting cast in Houston? It’s possible. No team in the West does more with less and, just like Portland, they have enough valuable players to make a trade enticing. But if a Texas native like Chris Bosh, who is not a top ten player, won’t entertain the idea of coming to Houston, it seems highly unlikely that Dwight Howard will go there. That said, I sincerely hope Daryl Morey proves me wrong. If he pulls off the acquisition of Howard I will get a shirt made that says “Don’t Mess with the Morey Glory” and wear it every time I go to cover a Rockets game.
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