Fansided

NBA Rumors: 5 free agent destinations for Dwight Howard

By Nick Ziegler

Mar 6, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) dribbles past Toronto Raptors guard Jonas Valanciunas (17) in the second quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) dribbles past Toronto Raptors guard Jonas Valanciunas (17) in the second quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
NBA Free Agency
Mar 3, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) between plays against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

It is possible that the Oklahoma City Thunder will be a very different looking team next season, as Kevin Durant may decide to play elsewhere this offseason. With Durant being a free agent this offseason, and Russell Westbrook being a free agent the season after, the Thunder could see their dominance in the Western Conference end quickly.

If Durant does indeed leave the Thunder, they will still have a chance to convince Westbrook to re-sign, and adding another star would help them do that. Westbrook is certainly capable of carrying an offense on his own without Durant, but in today’s NBA it is very difficult to win with just one star player. While Howard has struggled by his standards in recent years, he is still regarded as one of the best centers in the NBA.

While the loss of Durant would be one that would greatly hurt the Thunder, if they were able to sign a player like Howard, it would soften the blow. A combination of Westbrook and Howard looks pretty good on paper, as the Thunder would certainly have an athletic defense to make up for the loss of the un-guardable Durant.

This free agency will likely be dictated by Durant, as other players, including Howard, will have to wait until Durant makes his decision. If Howard wants to win, playing with Westbrook would keep the Thunder as one of the better teams in the West.

Next: 1. Dallas Mavericks

Home/Atlanta Hawks