NBA PM: Howard Joining Friends on Hawks?

08.08.2012

The Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks have been mentioned as potential suitors for Dwight Howard in recent months, but there’s a dark horse to keep an eye on as this saga continues. If Howard becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason, the Atlanta Hawks will aggressively pursue the six-time All-Star and try to lure the superstar center back to his hometown.

After trading Joe Johnson to Brooklyn in exchange for expiring contracts, the Hawks cleared enough cap space to offer Howard a maximum contract next summer. Atlanta has just $17,225,000 committed in guaranteed contracts for the 2013-14 season and will have plenty of flexibility moving forward thanks to a series of cost-cutting moves by new general manager Danny Ferry.