By now it is common knowledge from coast to coast and continent to continent that Dwight Howard has decided where he will play basketball. The Houston Rockets have won the Howard sweepstakes and let’s just all be thankful that this drama has come to a merciful end and we no longer have to endure any further speculation.
It is pretty obvious that Howard did not enjoy his time in Los Angeles and what’s more he did not enjoy sharing the court with Kobe Bryant. Bryant’s empowered pep talk to Howard during the Lakers courting period of the big-man centered on Howard staying in Los Angeles and learning from Kobe about winning and how to do it. This clearly rubbed Howard the wrong way and he now sets out to blaze his own winning path. One thing’s for sure, when the Rockets and lakers meet up there is going to be one highly pissed off and highly motivated black mamba.
Granted the Howard announcement has dominated the headlines, there were still other significant signings and trades.
For the second time in two days the Atlanta Hawks have made a free-agent splash. This go round they have signed Paul Millsap who had his rights denounced by the Utah Jazz earlier in the day. Millsap agreed to a two year deal with the Hawks and by doing so the Utah Jazz officially received nothing in return for their two best players.
A very small solace for Jazz fans is that they did get Andris Biedrins and Richard Jefferson. More importantly than these two inconsequential pieces are that their salaries will come off the books next year and the Jazz will receive at least two unprotected first round picks and a couple second round picks throughout the coming years. With this trade the Jazz are officially committed to be being bad, the question will be can they be good enough at being bad to secure a top three lottery pick in the loaded 2014 entry draft.
The Golden State Warriors were needing to part with both Biedrins and Jefferson because they have agreed in principle to a deal with Andre Iguodala on what is being reported as a four year $48 million package. Iguodala should be a nice addition to the Warriors roster as he can slot into the starting rotation immediately, can contribute off the bench, could pair with Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry for some small-ball or the Warriors might just deem Thompson expendable and see what he bears in the trade market. Anyway you slice it up, the dubs made a solid addition to the roster and after tasting some playoff success last season they definitely want more.
Switching conferences to the East, the Philadelphia 76ers continued their busy offseason as they acquired the much-maligned Royce White from the Houston Rockets. The Rockets must have been ecstatic to unload this colossal headache as they rid themselves of the player and better yet his guaranteed contract. The connection here is that Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie was with the Rockets when they drafted this troubled young man and perhaps Hinkie is holding out hope that White might one day get himself straightened out.
The Milwaukee Bucks ventured into the free-agent waters as well as they have reached out to and seemingly secured a three year commitment from O.J. Mayo. Mayo will fill the void left by J.J. Redick and the soon to be departed Monta Ellis. Mayo and Brandon Jennings could form a decent duo, albeit not as productive as Jennings and Ellis were. At minimum the Bucks have replaced some of the departed offense and while they are still an offensively anemic club, Mayo brings some respectability to the offense.
Just because the Howard-mania has reached an end, the free-agent period is far from over. Big named free-agents are still out there and are still looking for their next big paydays. Josh Smith and Andrew Bynum remain unsigned so there are sure to be rumours abound of these two being courted by every team with salary cap room to spare. Stay tuned to eDraft for recaps of trades and signings as they happen.