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NBA Free Agency: Plausible Moves With Extreme Ramifications

By Maxwell Ogden

May 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) prepares to take the court before the start of the game against the Golden State Warriors in game two of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) prepares to take the court before the start of the game against the Golden State Warriors in game two of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Houston Rockets won 118-104. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Houston Rockets won 118-104. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Dwight Howard to New York

Whether you love, hate, or feel indifferent about Dwight Howard, one cannot deny how influential he can be. Whether you view that influence as positive or negative is a conversation unto itself, but he’s not the type of player who arrives somewhere and drifts along as an afterthought.

Howard’s mere presence is powerful, and that’s why a potential move to New York could be one of the biggest of 2016.

The New York Knicks already have Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis locked into long-term contracts. New York also made waves by trading for 2011 NBA MVP Derrick Rose, who’s in a contract year with something to prove.

If Rose can stay healthy, the Knicks could be one of the most exciting teams in the Eastern Conference—and that’s before the potential addition of Howard.

You know, the Dwight Howard who was Top 5 in the NBA in field goal percentage, rebounds per game, and offensive rebounds per contest during his down year of 2015-16.

The same Howard who has career postseason averages of 19.1 points, 14.1 rebounds, 4.1 offensive boards, and 2.6 blocks per game.

The same Howard who hasn’t let a team he’s been on miss the playoffs since 2006.

For Howard, signing in New York would give him a chance to do what he’d hoped to do in Los Angeles: work with Phil Jackson. Jackson is the team president, but he has his hands in the day-to-day operations of the Knicks.

If Jackson makes an effort to help Howard craft the post game that he’s still physically capable of developing, the Knicks would be an on-paper force in the Eastern Conference.

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