The Houston Rockets have already traded Thomas Robinson to the Portland Trail Blazers in hopes of enticing free agent center Dwight Howard to sign with the franchise. He has already visited Houston and reportedly asked for another max contract player to join him.
Rumors that the Rockets are shopping Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik might have something to do with the request and Aaron Brooks and Carlos Delfino got waived. Even if Howard joins James Harden and a third superstar it doesn’t get him to the point of where he will get the opportunity at winning a NBA title. The reason being is the lack of depth and Houston will continue to struggle on the defense last season ranked 28th in points allowed.
So what team actually makes the most sense? The Golden State Warriors. For the salaries to work it would mean a sign-and-trade deal. One deal that has gotten attention is sending the Los Angeles Lakers Andrew Bogut, Klay Thompson and Richard Jefferson with Golden State acquiring Howard.
Unlike Houston, the Warriors do not need a third star the franchise already has David Lee who led the NBA in double-doubles last season and Stephen Curry who arguably had the best shooting season in NBA history. There’s still question marks about re-signing Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry, yet Brandon Rush is back fully healthy and last season even without the services of Bogut were one of the better teams in opponents field goal percentage ranking no.4 at 43.9 percent.
Howard will give the Warriors an advantage by drawing fouls, which was a team weakness during the 2012-2013 season and in the playoffs. More importantly Golden State will get a center without the injury history who will also block shots and rebound the basketball.
Also, the Warriors got to the Western Conference semifinals losing to the San Antonio Spurs in six games and he may have been the necessary to win the series against the Spurs. The only concern about Howard is his attitude and that won’t likely be an issue with head coach Mark Jackson who shouldn’t have any difficulties with getting him motivated and getting the most out of Howard.
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