| |
|
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:
Casimero stops Nery in 4th round
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026Edward Vazquez keeps title hopes alive by winning razor-thin unanimous decision over Daniel Lugo in Main Event of ProBoxTV
, Sat, 06 Jun 2026LABAN PILIPINAS! Kenneth Llover Ready to KO His Way to a World Title Shot
By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026Nery Does It Again: Overweight, But Casimero Says Let’s Fight!
By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026Undefeated Gabriela Tellez to Challenge Elif Nur Turhan for IBF Lightweight World Title June 13 in Glendale, AZ
, Sat, 06 Jun 2026SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS, FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER FOR PADLEY VS FIAZ – LIVE ON DAZN
, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Bruce “2.0” Seldon Jr.: From a Champion’s Son to Heavyweight Headliner
, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Mexican fighter ¨Artillero¨Rodriguez passes away after suffering brain injury on weekend fight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026NEGROS OCCIDENTAL PILLARS CROWNED SBA SEASON 2 CHAMPIONS
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026Weights from Japan: Llover - 117.7 lbs., Angeletti - 117.5 lbs.
By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 05 Jun 2026Antonio Vargas Locked in for Career-Defining Title Defense Against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez as Training Camp Winds Down
, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Weights From ‘Vazquez vs. Lugo’ Event from College Park Center in Arlington, TX, & Broadcast Live on ProBoxTV
, Fri, 05 Jun 2026SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS JOSH PADLEY AND AQIB FIAZ FACE OFF
, Fri, 05 Jun 2026“I would not say Yoka is more dangerous.” Murat Gassiev's coach Kadushin on boxer's training camp
, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Homecoming for super middleweight prospect Elijah Garcia to be showcased June 20 on Kingsley Ibeh vs. Dante Stone card in Phoenix
, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Amateur Standout Kayla "The Truth" Gomez Set for Professional Debut on MF Pro's "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach
, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Tancontian to lead PH team in Sambo Asia-Oceania
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 05 Jun 2026Clarion to fight for WBC Youth World super flyweight title in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 04 Jun 20262026 NBA Finals: Knicks Steal Game 1 in San Antonio 105-95
By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 04 Jun 2026LAMONT “THE REAPER” ROACH JR. AND WILLIAM “EL CAMARÓN” ZEPEDA TO BATTLE FOR THE WBC LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
, Thu, 04 Jun 2026Ramirez vs. Richards - Weigh In Results
, Thu, 04 Jun 2026Louisville and Boxing World commemorated 10th Anniversary of Muhammad Ali death
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 04 Jun 2026Sampson Lewkowicz: Boxing’s Picasso
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 03 Jun 2026BARRY HEARN OBE TO FUND 10 BRAND NEW APPRENTICESHIP ROLES THANKS TO MATCHROOM CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND COACH CORE
, Wed, 03 Jun 2026Olongapo to host National Age Group Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 03 Jun 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
