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Dwight Howard Intent On Becoming A Free Agent

By | Published on July 20, 2012
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Dwight Howard – So, here it is: Dwight Howard will not participate in a sign and trade deal and he will not commit to any team he’s traded to, making it highly unlikely the Los Angeles Lakers – or any other team – will trade for him.

That’s what his agent, Dan Fegan, said.

“Dwight’s position has remained unchanged since the end of this past season,” Fegan said. “He fully intends to explore free agency at the end of next season, regardless of what team trades for him, including Brooklyn.”

A source said the Nets never insisted Howard commit to an extension as a prerequisite for acquiring him, which Nets president Billy King confirmed in a text message.

Dwight Howard told the Magic, according to general manager Rob Hennigan, he would like to be traded to the Brooklyn Nets to strike a deal for Howard earlier this month, but were forced to stop when the Charlotte Bobcats threatened to sign their restricted free agent center, Brook Lopez, to an offer sheet.

Lopez was expected to be a key part of any deal with the Magic and signing an offer sheet could have preempted including him in any deal, depending on the terms of the offer sheet. The Nets then signed Lopez to a four-year, $61 million deal.

Since then, the Lakers have become the primary suitor for Howard, recruiting both the Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers as potential third-team participants to deliver the salary relief, draft picks and young talent that Orlando is seeking in return for their All-Star center.

The longest Dwight Howard could sign an extension, according to ESPN, would be two years if he signed with Orlando and was traded, or three years if he signed after being traded.

If he waits until his current deal expires, Howard would be eligible to sign a new five-year deal for as much as $108 million.

Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless discuss the best place for Dwight Howard – Video

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