Where are the best landing spots for the top free agents of 2013? Our panel
assesses the situations of five premier players looking for new deals.
1. Which team should Dwight Howard sign with this summer?
Israel Gutierrez, ESPN.com: Houston Rockets. Let's be honest, nobody knows
how much winning truly means to Howard when it comes to this decision. But if
he's looking for a winning situation, both immediately and in the long term,
Houston and James Harden provide more certainty than the Lakers and Kobe
Bryant. Choosing the Lakers would be based on trust and history.
Andew Han, Clipper Blog: Rockets. This would be a different conversation with
a healthy Bryant. But Achilles tears are notoriously difficult to quickly
recover from, and the Lakers' stars were already aging. Houston offers a
chance for a fresh start with a young core. And losing the extra contract
year simply means Howard can lock in another deal three years from now (via
early termination).
James Herbert, HoopSpeak: Rockets. Stars almost never ditch the Lakers and
it's not a great look to walk out on two teams in two seasons, but the
Rockets are his best option. In joining Harden and the emerging Chandler
Parsons, Howard would immediately find himself on a title contender primed to
improve in the next few seasons.
Aaron McGuire, Gothic Ginobili: Los Angeles Lakers. While Howard flirts
elsewhere, the choice is clear cut. He can stay with L.A. and make more
guaranteed money regardless of his back problems, or he can move to an
uncertain situation in a smaller market. No, the coach doesn't fit. No, the
roster's not great. But they have cap space coming and deep, deep pockets.
And that guaranteed money.
Tom Sunnergren, Hoop 76: Rockets. If Houston's dogged pursuit of Howard