HoopsHype.com Rumors

Steve Kyler: Brooklyn would have to complete a complex sign & trade to get at Howard, but sources say they are willing to do whatever it takes. Twitter @stevekylerNBA

Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, Trade, Dwight Howard 

Steve Nash, according to Leandro Barbosa, according to Steve Nash, plays soccer like he plays basketball "Leandro Barbosa, my former teammate [with the Phoenix Suns] . . . says I play soccer exactly how I play basketball," said Nash. "I love to pass and play-make but not afraid to shoot when I get the opportunity." Where would he play prospective teammate Dwight Howard if he made it to the Showdown? "I think Dwight would be best served in goal, but maybe he could surprise me out on the field a little bit," said Nash. Sulia

Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Nash, Dwight Howard, Leandro Barbosa 

Rick Bonnell: Maybe it was a slip-of-tongue but Magic said today (via ESPN) Dwight Howard "will" probably enjoy playing in Houston, vs. "would." Twitter @rick_bonnell

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard, Magic Johnson 

One day after Chauncey Billups said his Los Angeles Clippers teammate Blake Griffin was "too nice," Shaquille O'Neal said the same thing about Los Angeles Lakers Dwight Howard but was slightly more pointed with his criticism. "He's too nice," O'Neal said while on ESPNLA 710. "I'm a connoisseur of giggling and playing and all that and making you laugh and playing with the fans but when I cross that line I'm ready to tear your face off. I don't care who it is. You could put one of my aunts or uncles out there and I'm going to give him these elbows in their chest and I'm going to throw it down in their face. That's what you have to do. … He's just too nice. If I was him I would get into the same mood I was in." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Shaquille O'Neal, Dwight Howard 

O'Neal said he relished in the pressure and made it his goal to be the best center in Lakers history. "Kareem was the best big man in Lakers history and I wanted that title," O'Neal said. "That's the attitude he needs to have. All the giggling and smiling (is) too much. The fact that he's the so-called best big man in the league and doesn't get doubled every time, that's telling me something. That's telling me teams respect him but they don't fear him. I would rather be feared than respected." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Shaquille O'Neal, Dwight Howard 

O'Neal said Howard has never reached out to him for advice and he doesn't want him to. "I don't want him to reach out to me," O'Neal said. "I want him to get into the, 'Forget Shaq' mode and [say], 'Watch this.' He doesn't even have to reach out to me." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Shaquille O'Neal, Dwight Howard 

Excluding the Carlos Delfino blurb in the small forward edition of the preview series, the word "Rockets" is not used in the thousands of words Friedman wrote on future free agents. If this was truly some subliminal message from the front office geared to convince free agents to come to Houston, he at the very least could have written how Dwight Howard "rockets" to the rim or something along those lines. The Dream Shake

Houston Rockets, Dwight Howard 

The reason for the fines wasn't in the memo, but a recent letter sent by a Hawks employee to season ticket holders mentioned Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul and Lakers center Dwight Howard as possible signees. It's not permitted by the league to name players before they officially become free agents. USA Today Sports

Atlanta Hawks, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Tampering 

You always say great things about Hakeem Olajuwon, that he would kill it if he had the chance to play nowadays and be the best center by far. What about Dwight Howard? Robert Horry: Dwight would have no chance [against Olajuwon]. Howard is a good player, but his offensive skills are limited. He only has the Georgetown hook, a couple of spins in the baseline... Dwight is a great player, but there are things certain players can and can't do, and Hakeem could do a lot. HoopsHype

Dwight Howard, Hakeem Olajuwon, Robert Horry 

Dwight Howard will not be the only object of the Rockets’ free-agent affections, and the Los Angeles Lakers center has not been the only subject of their intensive preparations for next month’s sales pitches. Howard has generated by far the most attention as a Rockets free-agent target, but the team plans a similar and simultaneous pursuit of Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul, a person with knowledge of the Rockets’ thinking said. According to another individual familiar with the team’s plans, “they are targets No. 1 and 1A.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

The difference is there have been far more indications Howard, a 6-11 center, will be receptive to the Rockets’ recruiting efforts. Although it is too early to know if Paul, a 6-0 guard, is disinterested or keeping his thoughts private, the Rockets have gone through detailed preparations to chase both. Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

Rockets players James Harden and Chandler Parsons have spoken with Howard about the Rockets and playing in Houston. Harden is even closer to Paul from their time together on the USA Basketball senior national team. Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, James Harden, Chandler Parsons 

According to an individual with knowledge of Howard’s thinking, Howard has been interested in playing for Rockets coach Kevin McHale and assistant coach J.B. Bickerstaff, citing among other things McHale’s style and playing history as a Hall of Famer. Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Kevin McHale, Dwight Howard, JB Bickerstaff 

Dirk Nowitzki said Thursday that he’s excited for July 1, the day teams can officially start talking with free agents. Nowitzki’s first two targets will be superstars Dwight Howard and Chris Paul. While spending some time on 103.3’s Fitzsimmons & Durrett show [KESN-FM], the Dallas Mavericks forward discussed the importance of landing one of those two players. “If we don’t get the two monsters then we got to find another way,” Nowitzki said, “through sign-and-trades or other free agents that are out there.” Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwight Howard 

Mitch Kupchak: We would try to do what the other teams will do, which is convince Dwight Howard that this is the spot for him. I think we have an advantage in that he's played here for a year. I'm biased – I think this is the best city to live in with the best fans in the NBA. There are certain things that you remind him of or talk to him about, and you hope that it plays in your favor. NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

Kupchak: If there's one thing we're looking at this summer, it's what Dwight is going to decide to do. That is the major moving piece. That will determine a lot about what we do. It's the one decision we will have to wait on. Then we will try to have a plan a, plan b, plan c depending on what happens. NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

MT: You were "hopeful" and "optimistic" during exit interviews on April 30 about Dwight Howard returning in part because of the unique opportunity of playing for the Lakers and everything that encompasses especially for a franchise-type player. What's your feeling more than a month later? Kupchak: No different from what I said at the end of the season (link above). We have a dialogue, and we do talk, but we're not allowed to negotiate until July 1. We talk about when he's getting in the gym and what he's doing, how his back is feeling and things like that. From the conclusion of the season to July 1 is two months, so it's important to work on your body and your game in that time. NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard 

MT: Once free agency hits, it's been reported that Howard will visit some other teams. How do the Lakers go about that free agency process with him? Kupchak: Dwight has earned the right to become a free agent, and he probably will be recruited and perhaps make a couple of visits. That being the case, I would hope that we'd have a chance also before he makes his decision. MT: And that would be your opportunity to sit down again, go over your plan and make your case as to why he should stay? Kupchak: Absolutely. NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard 

MT: Generally speaking, Mitch, where things are now in the Lakers' basketball ops office as you prep for the NBA Draft and look ahead at free agency? Kupchak: It's a deadline-oriented business. There are certain dates throughout the year that, as you get closer to them, things pick up and heat up (around the NBA). The day after you lose in the first round, there isn't a lot of activity as a lot of teams are unwinding and meeting internally. The more teams that get beat in the playoffs makes more teams eligible for trades as they are then allowed, but there haven't been any trades thus far. By and large, as you approach the draft, you'll see a lot more activity. It was important that the lottery was set, which lets teams know what they have as the business ramps up. NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Draft, Trade, Dwight Howard 

Those decisions hinge on Howard's future. He plans to test free agency beginning July 1 and will consider teams such as the Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors. "That's Dwight's choice. It's not really up to me," World Peace said. "I'm a big Dwight supporter so I don't really need to tell him how much I support him anymore considering as much as I did all season. Through the ups and downs, I was there for him. "I like him as a person and I hope he makes the best decision for himself." Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard, Metta World Peace