Honorable Mentions
What, did you think this was going to be the Golden State Warriors? They’ll be all right next season without him.
No, this slide is for the few teams that make sense on the surface, but are more unlikely than likely to try and court Howard’s services.
Miami Heat
Hassan Whiteside has been in trade rumors the past few seasons, and if the Heat are able to find a trade partner, it would make sense to replace him with a player that would come much cheaper while doing most of the same things.
Except the Heat’s first round pick from last year, Bam Adebayo, looks more than ready to take on the starting duties:
https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/979513196942974977
Sorry, Dwight.
Boston Celtics
After the buyout from the Nets was reported, the Celtics were rumored to be one of the teams that would pursue him:
The #Celtics are interested in signing Dwight Howard, according to @ASherrodblakely. https://t.co/EOG9SX3dNN
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) June 21, 2018
That was before the luck of the Irish struck during the 2018 NBA Draft, and the Celtics landed projected-lottery pick Robert Williams at pick No. 27 simply by standing pat. Then this was released after the selection:
Source: Drafting of Robert Williams has no impact on the Celtics intention to re-sign Aron Baynes. "We still intend to have Aron back in Boston and he's told us this is where he wants to be."
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 22, 2018
If that’s true, then the Celtics will be returning Al Horford, Aron Baynes, Daniel Theis, and Guerschon Yabusele. I doubt the Celtics want to pull a Warriors and carry six centers on their roster next season.*
*Unless it means them winning a championship
Los Angeles Clippers
If DeAndre Jordan opts out of his player option and leaves the Clippers, then that would actually be a sneaky good destination. Howard is 32 years old, and will be 33 by the time the season is over. The Clippers surprised people this past season, but if they make a trade for Kawhi now, it could cripple the franchise for years to come.
Howard would be a solid Jordan replacement, but the Clippers would be better off experimenting with Boban, or going small if they re-sign Montrezl Harrell.