Howard ducks out of LA, agrees with Rockets

Dwight Howard left the Los Angeles Lakers empty handed on July 5, announcing that he will sign with the Houston Rockets. Howard's time in LA was short lived and disappointing by many standards. (MCT)

The Dwight Howard sweepstakes has come to an end, shifting the power in the Western Conference to Houston. The 6'11" All-Star Center bolted out of Los Angeles after just one season to sign with the Rockets to join USA basketball teammate James Harden.

"I've decided to become a member of the Houston Rockets. I feel its the best place for me and I am excited about joining the Rockets and I'm looking forward to a great season. I want to thank the fans in Los Angeles and wish them the best."  From Dwight Howard's Twitter account on July 5. 

Howard averaged 17.1 points and 12.4 rebounds for the Lakers after being traded from the Orlando Magic last year. The former number one overall pick of the draft later posted a picture of himself and Harden on his Instagram account. Howard and Harden 

The signing undoubtedly boosts the Rockets into the top half of the Western Conference, and leaves the Lakers with little hope for next season. With Kobe Bryant recovering from injury and an aging supporting cast, the Lakers look to be in line for a disappointing season.

For Howard to go to the Rockets, he gave up an extra $30 million dollars for the best chance at a title.
The specifics of the contract have not been confirmed yet, but most anticipate the deal will be worth $88 million over a four-year span.

As for the Lakers, they seem to be empty-handed for next season, with the free agent pool thinning out, not much is there to fill the void left by Howard. I could potentially see the Lakers going after Atlanta Hawks free agent Josh Smith, but his inability to shoot a mid-range jumper doesn't add much to Mike D'Antoni's run and gun style of offense.

The Black Mamba already seems to be trying to move on posting a picture of himself and Pao Gasol. He will have to hope the Lakers can figure things out before his and Gasol's last season under contract begins. All the Lakers can hope for now is a chance to sign LeBron James in 2014, if the King decides to opt out of his contract.



My Personal Opinion:
Howard never showed Lakers fans his true potential at any given point during last season. He seems to be less explosive and lost in a new offense. The move makes sense for Howard, who did not seem like the type of player who wanted to learn from Kobe Bryant. Howard was just awkward in LA, even though the market and prestige of the Lakers matched everything he needed. The Lakers put all their eggs in one basket trading for Howard without a long-term extension. If it weren't for Mitch Kupchak's previous success, I would definitely think he would be out of the job ASAP. I feel that Howard will have to adjust again to a new system, which has proven to be difficult for him to do. I don't see the Rockets winning a NBA title in the first year of their new era. I do see them making a finals appearance in year three of Howard's new deal.