Mere hours after acquiring former All-Star Dwight Howard in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets, it’s readily apparent that the Brooklyn Nets have no interest in him ever suiting up for them.
According to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, Howard and the Nets are already working on a contract buyout.
Dwight Howard and Brooklyn will negotiate a buyout to enter free-agency, league sources tell ESPN.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 21, 2018
Brooklyn’s reasoning for acquiring Howard in the first place is already well known. The team saved $16.7 million in cap room for the 2019 offseason by unloading Timofey Mozgov’s contract in the deal. It gives Brooklyn room for two max contracts next summer.
Seen as an embattled figure, Howard’s one season in Charlotte was defined by a rift with teammates. It’s pretty much no different than what we’ve seen throughout the eight-time All-Star’s career.
Howard, 32, averaged 16.6 points and 12.5 rebounds for the Hornets last season. Should he hit free agency, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Howard’s market be relatively cold.
If that’s the case, contending teams like the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics might very well show interest. Remember, Golden State made a play for Howard during free agency in 2013 before ultimately settling on Andre Iguodala.