| |
|
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:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 14 JULY 2025: Katie Taylor Makes 3-0 Over Amanda Serrano; Baumgardner Defeats Miranda; Stevenson Outclasses Zepeda; Sheeraz Stops Berlanga
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025Champion Forever: A Century On, ‘The City By The Bay’ Honors Francisco Guilledo
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025Philippines Shuts Out South Korea, 7-0, in WBSC Women’s Softball Asia Cup
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025Manny ready for Barrios
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025Don King Productions Rejects Jake Paul's Demand for Mikaelian Step-Aside, Citing WBC Ranking Rules
By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025Argentinian former world champion "Locomotora" Oliveras Suffers Stroke
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025GM Antonio to compete in Taiwan chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025PACQUIAO-BARRIOS FIGHT WEEK IS HERE
, Tue, 15 Jul 2025Unbeaten Prospect Alex Bray to Face Lesther Espino July 18, Live on DAZN
, Tue, 15 Jul 2025Philippine Blu Girls Crush Thailand in Explosive Start to Women’s Softball Asia Cup 2025
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025Manny motors to Vegas
By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 14 Jul 2025Bakbakan sa Elorde on July 19
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 14 Jul 2025Ringside, Still: Remembering Chino Trinidad
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025Hamzah Sheeraz Demolishes Edgar Berlanga in Stunner, Becomes Mandatory Challenger to Canelo Alvarez
By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025Shakur Stevenson Masterfully Tames William Zepeda to Retain WBC Lightweight Crown
By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Score KO Wins in Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025Yanon is PBF flyweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
, Sat, 12 Jul 2025JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
, Fri, 11 Jul 2025Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
, Fri, 11 Jul 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
