HoopsHype.com Rumors

Despite interest from his home-town team, the Hawks, sources have repeatedly said Howard, like many players, are wary of the demands and distractions of playing where they grew up. The Warriors and Rockets also were not on Howard's list at that time. The three teams that were: Brooklyn, Dallas and the Lakers. Since then, several sources have said, Howard has softened on his position regarding the Rockets but there's been no indication anything has changed regarding the Warriors or Hawks. Sulia

Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard 

David Baumann: Forbes writer @NittiGrittyTax just told us Dwight Howard would actually make $8M MORE in HOU or DAL than in LA over 4-year contract.#TAXES Twitter @DavidBaumann33

Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard 

Source: Report that Lakers' center and pending free agent Dwight Howard has composed a list of preferred teams is "premature." The reported list: Lakers, Rockets, Mavericks, Hawks and Warriors. Sulia

Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard, Free Agent 

Asked specifically about the Warriors being one of the teams Howard would be willing to join, the source said the only connection between the player and team was when the Warriors expressed interest in Howard after he made it clear he wanted out of Orlando a year ago. Sulia

Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard 

Now that the Los Angeles Clippers have refused to offer coach Vinny Del Negro a new contract, a source said Wednesday that the Dallas Mavericks believe they have a better chance of acquiring Dwight Howard than acquiring Chris Paul. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

“I think Chris Paul, depending on who [the Clippers] hire, is going to stay with the Clippers,” the source said. “The Mavericks are really interested in Chris Paul, but I think they want Dwight more. They think they can make them a point guard.” The source said two point guards who interest the Mavs are Golden State’s Jarrett Jack and Memphis’ Jerryd Bayless. Both players figured prominently in their teams’ runs in the current playoffs, and both will become free agents in July. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

It was All-Star Weekend in Houston when Dwight Howard and Chris Paul – the two prize members of the NBA free-agent class — among others were in town. The perfect time for the Rockets’ star James Harden to add recruiter to his repertoire. “I’ve built some friendships these last couple years, this summer and throughout the time playing,” Harden told the Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen. “They know what kind of person I am, how hard-working I am, knowing I want to win. I hope that becomes a factor of wanting to come to Houston and trying to win championships.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, James Harden 

Darnell Mayberry: Dwyane Wade, James Harden, Paul George, David Lee and Dwight Howard made Third Team All-NBA. Twitter @DarnellMayberry

Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Dwyane Wade, Paul George, Dwight Howard, David Lee, James Harden 

You said you were optimistic in your exit interview that Howard will come back. Do you still feel that way? Mitch Kupchak: I’m optimistic. Los Angeles Daily News

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

Is it true, as ESPN Los Angeles reported, that Dwight Howard in his separate interview after his formal exit interview that he lamented frustrations about Mike D’Antoni, specifically about how he felt marginalized on the team? Mitch Kupchak: “Criticism of a coach did not come up. Our coach did not come up. In terms of the way the season went and our talent, group and players and how they think in general, I would venture to say most of our players felt this was a frustrating season and that they didn’t get to show their talents as much as they would have liked to." Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Mike D'Antoni, Dwight Howard 

Kupchak: "Being around as long I’ve been around, it doesn’t bother me when I hear at some point a player didn’t see eye to eye with a coach. Players don’t have to like coaches. They just have to play hard. In L.A., our coaches get evaluated on wins and losses and not whether our players like them or don’t like them. It doesn’t matter.” Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Mike D'Antoni, Dwight Howard 

Kupchak: "A player a has a right to be a free agent. It bothers me that there seems to be some media attention and criticism early in the process about Dwight and the coach and Dwight and free agency. Don’t get me wrong. The sooner he makes his mind up, the better for everybody. That’s my take on it. But he can’t sign until July 10 anyway. I told him when he first got here, ‘I’m not going to bug you. I believe this is the place for you. When you make your mind up, let me know.’” Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Mike D'Antoni, Dwight Howard 

Kupchak: “You’ve been around long enough and watched him play. Look at his numbers and his age. Everything will continue. Knock on wood, he stays healthy. He’ll be in the hall of Fame. There’s no doubt. If he picks up where he let off, he’s going to average 20 points and 14 rebounds and 2 and 3 blocks and he’ll be in the Hall of Fame. He’ll be here for 16 years in this league and there’s no doubt.” Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Mike D'Antoni, Dwight Howard 

A source familiar with Howard's thinking says he plans to test free agency and has considered the Lakers, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Golden State. Long Beach Press-Telegram

Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard 

Nothing remains binding, though. The source added Howard's main concern involves "what team he feels has the best chance to win championships, has the best team and system around him." The source also stressed Howard has not and will not ask the Lakers to make any moves on his behalf. Long Beach Press-Telegram

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard 

An ESPN report said Howard devoted part of a separate meeting with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak following his formal exit interview three weeks ago to lament how Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni made him feel "marginalized." Kupchak said that didn't happen. "Criticism of a coach did not come up," Kupchak said Wednesday in a phone interview. "Our coach did not come up." Long Beach Press-Telegram

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni, Dwight Howard 

Kupchak also believes Howard will co-exist with D'Antoni, whom Kupchak has said will return next season. "I have absolute and complete confidence," Kupchak said. "Players don't have to like coaches. They just have to play hard. In L.A., our coaches get evaluated on wins and losses and not whether our players like them or don't like them." Long Beach Press-Telegram

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni, Dwight Howard 

Dwight Howard continues a longtime trend of NBA big men struggling to sell shoes. Adidas moved only $5 million worth of Howard product last year. Powell says the soap opera surrounding his departure from Orlando and first year in Los Angeles hurt him in the marketplace. “Your average 10-year-old can envision being Kobe. He has no way of being Dwight Howard,” says Powell. Forbes.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Dwight Howard, Sneakers 

The Dallas Mavericks, with their first lottery draft pick in a dozen years firmly in hand, have their eyes on a bigger prize. Multiple sources have told ESPN.com's Chad Ford the Mavs are likely to shop the pick in hopes of creating the cap space necessary to make a run at Dwight Howard in free agency. The 13th overall pick has a cap hold of $1,655,300. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Draft, Trade, Dwight Howard 

The hope is to sell Howard or Chris Paul -- who would each have to sacrifice a fifth year on the max contract that he could get from the Lakers and Clippers, respectively -- on the possibility of building a championship contender. "We'd love to get one of the main guys," Nowitzki said last week. "It's going to be tough to get them out of the situation that they're in. I think that's pretty easy [to see]. I think both are in L.A., where you want to play basketball, and both are in great positions and situations. We'll just have to wait and see." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Draft, Trade, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard