Dwight Howard likes the Houston Rockets and apparently the feeling is mutual The Rockets are said to be looking to trade Thomas Robinson the fifth pick in the 2012 NBA draft, in a effort to free up cap space to sign Dwight Howard as a free agent. So much for Howard being interested in playing in Brooklyn.
The Rockets have made clear to multiple rival teams that they plan to accept the best offer to move Robinson and eliminate his $3.52 million salary for the 2013-14 season.
Without the salary of Robinson and others, the Rockets will have the space to offer Howard a maximum deal starting at approximately $20.5 million a season.
Houston is competing mainly with Dallas – and possibly Golden State – to lure Howard once free agency commences on July 1. Howard has become increasingly intrigued with the Rockets as a possible destination, sources said. Houston’s supporting cast, including James Harden and Chandler Parsons, is one of the reasons.
The Rockets are targeting teams with the cap space to absorb Robinson’s contract. The Rockets are trying to cobble together a package that could include assets such as a trade exception, a draft pick or non-guaranteed contracts that they can be unloaded, sources said.
Robinson, 22, averaged 4.8 points and 4.5 rebounds playing a combined 70 games for the Rockets and Kings. Sacramento traded him to Houston in a package that included Francisco Garcia and Tyler Honeycutt for Patrick Patterson, Cole Aldrich, Toney Douglas and cash.
Wow. 20.5 million? Geeze!
yeah …the money these players make now are no joke