Dwight Howard Decides To Join Houston Rockets

Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard is going to be the newest member of the Houston Rockets, according to media reports.

The decision was first reported by Sam Amick, of the USA TODAY.

The free agent center, who spent last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, after spending the first eight years of his career with the Orlando Magic, was being courted by his former club, the Lakers, along with the Dallas Mavericks, Golden St. Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, and Golden St. Warriors, in addition to the Rockets.

Things started to clear up a little on Friday, when the Warriors signed free agent forward Andre Igodala, stirring the rumor mill that Golden St. had been elimination from consideration, followed by the Mavericks announcing they were out of the sweepstakes.

The remaining teams, with the exception of the Rockets, were then reportedly informed that they were out of the race for Howard's services.

The 27-year old Howard averaged 17.1 points-per-game, and 12.4 rebounds-per-game, last season, with the Lakers.

For his career, Howard, a seven-time All-Star, and three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, has averaged 18.3 points, along with 12.9 rebounds, a contest.

Howard, the first-overall selection in the 2004 NBA draft by the Magic, has led the league in rebounding five times, and in blocked shots, twice.

There remains the question as to if the Lakers will do a sign-and-trade with the Rockets, thereby getting back players/draft picks/trade exceptions, and in return allowing Houston to sign Howard to a max deal.

Howard will join a Rockets team, which went 45-37 last season, and features the likes of James Hardin, Chandler Parsons, and Jeremy Lin.