Fansided

5 teams dumb enough to give Dwight Howard a max contract next year

By Rucker Haringey

Nov 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) scores a basket against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) scores a basket against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) walks off the court after the Rockets defeated the Miami Heat 106-103 at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) walks off the court after the Rockets defeated the Miami Heat 106-103 at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Rockets center Dwight Howard is expected to opt out of his contract after this season

Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard is one of the NBA’s most polarizing players. Some fans see him as a top-notch defensive center with an underrated offensive game, while his detractors would call him a coach killer. There is sure to be plenty of debate on the merits of D12 this off-season if he, as expected, opts out of his deal with the Rockets and hits free agency.

No matter how bad his locker room reputation might be, there’s no doubt that there will be significant interest in Howard if he becomes a free agent. The league will be flush with the most available cap space in its history, which means there will be numerous teams with the available cap space to sign Howard to the max contract he covets. You can bet there will be ridiculous contract offers out there, including multiple max offers.

The smart franchises will stay away from the talented, but troubled center who’s on the wrong end of 30. Fortunately for D12  there are some dumb franchises too. Here are five teams that might be foolish enough to offer Howard a max contract.

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