Report: “Little Chance” of Dwight Howard Re-Signing With Lakers, Mavericks and Rockets Officially the Favorites

How much does Dwight Howard reportedly dislike Mike D’Antoni‘s system and playing with Kobe Bryant? So much so that he’s apparently willing to forgo the $30 million more that the Lakers can pay him in free agency (and he’s clearly not worried about Metta World Peace physically keeping him in town).

This morning ESPN’s Chris Broussard is citing multiple sources of his that are claiming that Dwight seriously does not want to stay in L.A. in the Lakers’ current setup.

From Broussard:

Howard’s major problem with the Lakers is the system coach Mike D’Antoni employs. Beyond that, he did not enjoy playing with Kobe Bryant, though he could manage to do so in a different system, a source said. Howard also does not want to be second fiddle to Bryant for several more seasons.

While many believe Houston is the Lakers’ stiffest competition, sources say Howard finds Dallas just as appealing, if not more. Assuming the Mavericks are able to clear enough cap space to offer him a maximum-salaried contract, Howard is strongly considering joining Dallas. The Mavericks are trying to shed Shawn Marion’s $9 million expiring contract to create the room to sign Howard, according to sources.

Howard likes the idea of being the top superstar of a franchise and with Dirk Nowitzki aging, Dallas would be viewed as Howard’s team. Howard also believes the Mavericks can build a championship roster around him with the ample cap space they will have in the summer of 2014.

[See Also: Rockets Plan to Offer Dwight Howard a Max Deal]

Two main questions: Don’t the Rockets play a system that focuses more on a faster pace, high pick-and-rolls, spacing the floor and freeing up three-point shooters? As in the opposite of slowing it down and dumping it in to an offensively-limited big man?

No. 2: Didn’t Dwight already play in a situation where it was “his team”? How did that go?

Where will Dwight end up next season?

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