The Houston Rockets face elimination tonight as they battle with the shorthanded Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena, and while their defeat in the series isn't as certain as it was before Steph Curry‘s injury, there's still little hope for Houston to win the next three games.
After falling in the Western Conference Finals last season, the Rockets have been on a drama-filled roller coaster leading up to tonight's Game 5. Kevin McHale was canned early on, the team struggled to find the same success that they had last year, and the strained relationship between James Harden and the rest of the guys, especially Dwight Howard, became incredibly publicized.
According to a source from Calvin Watkins of ESPN, Houston's chemistry is “cordially bad.”
This isn't the first time Howard has grown frustrated in a locker room; it's eventually happened in all of his stops throughout his career. Now, he appears to be on the move once again.
Watkins indicates that Howard will enter free agency after the season, declining his player option. They could re-sign him, but Howard is “not expected to have a role” with the Rockets moving forward.
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So, where will Dwight go?
A number of options have been reported in the past, including the Dallas Mavericks (would need to sign him under the max) and the Miami Heat (his fit there is questioned, though. Also, cap issues abound).
However, according to Watkins, the three leading candidates for Howard's services are the Milwaukee Bucks, the Orlando Magic, and the Portland Trail Blazers.
While both Milwaukee and his old stomping grounds in Orlando have been mentioned previously, Portland is a new destination to enter the conversation.
Alongside Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, Howard could receive the touches in the paint he demands while taking advantage of the space opened up by the two incredibly talented guards.
While Dwight's ultimate signing location remains a mystery, all signs point to Howard's departure from Houston being a foregone conclusion.
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