| |
|
NBA -- Howard spurns Lakers, bolts to Houston
By Jeremy Zuniga
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 07 Jul 2013
CHICAGO -- The Houston Rockets won the Dwight Howard lottery Friday night when the fee agent center decided to shift uniforms and loyalties, spurning the Los Angeles Laker and three other suitors in the process.
"I've decided to become a member of the Houston Rockets. I feel it's the best place for me and I'm excited," the 7-time All-Star announced via Twitter.
By opting Houston, Howard left $30 million on the table.
The Lakers could have signed him to a five-year deal worth $118 million while the Rockets are limited to four years and $88 million. But since Texas has no state income taxes compared to California, which has the highest state income taxes in the U.S., Howard's financial hit will be mitigated, according to an ESPN report.
Besides the Lakers, the Golden State Warriors, the Dallas Mavericks and the Atlanta Hawks vigorously pursued the 6-foot-11, 265-pound Howard, who led the NBA in rebounds last season with 12.4 a game. But the Lakers took the hardest hit after allowing the game's best center walk to away for nothing.
With Howard on board alongside James Harden, one of the NBA's most prolific young stars, the Rockets now have a legitimate inside-out punch that makes them a legitimate contender in the Western Conference.
Multiples reports also indicate that the Rockets are trying to bring in Atlanta Hawk Josh Smith in a trade for center Omer Asik, who made it clear he doesn't want to play with Howard. If that deal pushes through, the Rockets could have a Big 3 of Howard, Harden and Smith.
But that's a story for another day.
For now, it's all about Howard, a very solid piece for any franchise trying to win a championship. (JZ)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jeremy Zuniga.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Cuarto ready to fight Paradero
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 22 Jul 2026CHAVES DEFENDS WBO LATINO TITLE AGAINST GARCIA AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NJ ON SEPT 4
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Undefeated Middleweight Prospect Sebastian Juarez Returns August 8 Against Rance Ward
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán and WBC Cares visits Pedro Fiorito Hospital in Avellaneda, Argentina
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 22 Jul 2026COLD SHOULDER IN SYDNEY: Spence and Tszyu Trade Snubs and Staredowns at Grand Arrivals Launch
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Suarez, Lewkowicz Ask the WBO to Enforce Navarrete Rematch and Begin Negotiations Immediately
By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 20 JULY 2026: Papot Outpoints Eubank; Pacheco Stops Aleem; Suarez Smokes Avila in One Round
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Fiery Exchange at Fanatics Fest: Garcia and Benn Nearly Brawl in New York Ahead of Sept. 12 Title Clash
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026John Michael Zulueta Headlines in Highland Show July 25 in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Results from Dominican Republic: Alberto Puello Stops Ángel Bolaño in 3
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Matchroom Boxing reveals major fights in UK & Ireland schedule from August to October
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Colombia National Congress Awarded "Kid Pambelé" with Grand Cross Knight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026MILO Marathon returns to Davao on August 2
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026PHILBOXING.COM WEEKEND ROUNDUP: News, Fallout, and the Long Shadow of Sydney
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Joe Hand Promotions Secures Commercial Rights for Errol Spence Jr. vs. Tim Tszyu Showdown
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Grandy Twins Head to Tampa to Learn from Hall of Famers Antonio Tarver and Winky Wright Ahead of August 14 Homecoming Fight
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Matchroom Extends Brentwood Town Fc Partnership as Principle Partner for Next Five Years as Barry Hearn Obe Provides Significant Investment to Non-League Football Club
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026IBA Pro announces departure of Director Al Siesta
, Mon, 20 Jul 2026Suarez sends strong signal
By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 20 Jul 2026THE CORNER SHIFT: Can Ronnie Shields Rebuild Errol Spence Jr. After the Derrick James Fallout?
By T. Chin-Te, , Mon, 20 Jul 2026Yusniel Abrahante Shocks Undefeated Luis Coria in Dominant Performance Live on ProBox TV
, Sun, 19 Jul 2026Salamov stops Suarez as Borshchev beats Brito at historic IBA Bare Knuckle US debut
, Sun, 19 Jul 2026Pichay re-elected NCFP prexy, eyes more GMs
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026Olympus Rising by TWC - Amateur MMA Fight on Saturday; live broadcast via Kalaro 3.0 Sports Super-app
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026Suarez Obliterates Avila in One-Round Blitz to Capture WBO International Crown (Photos)
By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
