There was a Plan B involving Dwight Howard landing with the Dallas Mavericks as a free agent back in 2013 — this time involving Chris Paul. But plans fell through after the center changed his mind in suiting up for the Mavs, according to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated,
I really think that they, Chris and Dwight, basically wink, wink said they were going to Dallas, from what I’ve heard, and that Dwight backed out.
Word on the street. But we hear a lot of stories. That’s one story I’ve heard.
The 6-foot-11 center was long linked as a marquee target by the Mavs after the franchise, fresh off a championship in 2011, opted to not resign the pieces of their title team to clear up space and make a run for a big free agent. At the time, the other rumored target was Dallas native Deron Williams. But that plan was delayed by another season after Howard decided to opt-in to his 2012-13 contract and Williams following suit by re-signing with the Brooklyn Nets.
These events set up the stage for a superstar tandem with also soon-to-be free agent Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers. Howard's relationship with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers have soured and has been strongly entertaining outside offers, granting meetings with his hometown team the Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, the Mavs, and the eventual sweepstakes winner — the Houston Rockets.
It's unclear why Howard backed out, perhaps due to Dirk Nowitzki's declining abilities and age, but had that team up pushed through, the NBA landscape certainly would have been a lot different. That nucleus could have been looking at deep playoff runs and likely no Luka Doncic — and Dallas probably would have it this way instead.
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