Dwight Howard Being Recruited By Houston Rockets Forward Chandler Parsons


Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Dwight Howard is being courted again. This time it’s Houston Rockets forward Chandler Parsons. Parsons told the Houston Chronicle:

“I talk to Dwight every day. I’ve created a relationship with him, where I feel like we’re very close.”

After the Miami Heat reclaimed the NBA Championship this Thursday, Parsons sent a text message to Howard.

“‘Come to Houston. That could be us,’” Parsons said, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Parsons, clearly focused on next season, would love to have Howard by his side next year. I think the Rockets are the perfect spot for the 6’11″ free agent. Actually, I think Houston is Howard’s top choice.

The Rockets are an exciting young bunch who could use some veteran leadership, size and experience. The backcourt features Jeremy Lin and James Harden, both unselfish players with exceptional passing skills, and Howard could benefit big time from the slashing style backcourt. Howard could also play in a smaller market with less pressure and won’t have to deal with any more Laker Nation drama or any more of those Magic Johnson bashing tweets.

I’m not even going try to figure out what Howard is thinking. But to walk away from the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most historic, prestigious franchises in all of sports would be borderline insane. Not to mention, the Lakers could offer Howard the most dough — the five-year, $118 million max contract.

Howard could also go down as one of the best centers of all-time if he were to capture a title with the Lakers. Who wouldn’t want to be compared to George Mikan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal and Wilt Chamberlain? Instead of hiding from the pressure, Howard should embrace the challenge. As a Laker, you always know that the front office, even with an inept Jim Buss, will at least try to put together a championship-contending team. Obviously, this season was an epic failure, but the team still reached the postseason.

Everybody knows Mike D’Antoni wasn’t Howard’s first choice, but if he were to commit to the Lakers, maybe Mitch Kupchak would find him a new coach — pleeeaaaaase bring back Phil Jackson. He got Stan Van Gundy fired, so D’Antoni could get the ax, too. I know the roster needs to be revamped, but if Pau Gasol gets traded, the Lakers could get another younger talented player. The draft is right around the corner, too. Also, you can never count out the Black Mamba.

Howard has several teams interested in his services, but he hasn’t given us any inclination to where he’s leaning. Howard reportedly didn’t even watch the NBA Finals, however, according to his twitter account he did find time to watch the new Superman movie. I guess we will all have to wait to see what the L.A. Superman decides.

 

Eric N. Ellington covers the Los Angeles Lakers for Rant Sports. Follow him at @EricNEllington


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