The Dallas Mavericks are targeting Dwight Howard as their top free agent this offseason.
According to Dwain Price of the Star-Telegram, he’s at the top of the team’s wish list and seems to have “absolutely everything the Mavericks need from a center.”
It’s worth noting the Mavericks have struck out big time in recent years when trying to land their top targets in free agency. Last year’s DeAndre Jordan fiasco was just the cherry on top.
Back to Howard, his 2015-16 stats aren’t all that impressive (by his standards), and his 11.7 points per game tied a career low.
At the age of 30, he struggled through one of his worst seasons as a pro with the Houston Rockets last year. Still, one has to believe he still has some domination left in him if he lands in the right spot. Houston was undeniably the wrong spot for the big man, who played second fiddle to James Harden, who not only launches too many shots but who literally never plays defense.
One of the best fits for Howard could make a hard push to land him, and it’s not the Mavericks. The Orlando Magic could potentially look to bring him back. He’s already made it clear that going home to Orlando, where he was drafted, is an option. And none other than Magic legend Shaquille O’Neal has made it clear that would be the best choice for Howard.
All that said, the Mavericks could entice Howard to make an in-state jump from Houston to Dallas. They have the cap space to make a run at him and have some nice pieces in place, including the ageless wonder Dirk Nowitzki, who needs that low-post player to complement his perimeter style.
We haven’t heard the end of the Howard to Mavericks rumors. This is a story that will persist until he either is or isn’t on the roster following the upcoming free agent frenzy.