Dwight Howard News: Mavs All Aboard In Chase For Star Center

The Dallas Mavericks are planning a full-fledged assault in their attempt to woo free-agent center Dwight Howard to town, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

So serious are the Mavs in their chase of Howard, they have given up plans to also pursue free-agent guard Chris Paul, The Star-Telegram also reports. Both L.A. stars will become free agents as of July 1.

According to the newspaper, the Mavs thinking now appears to be that after Coach Vinny Del Negro was fired, Paul will elect to stay with the Clippers, where he figures to have a resounding voice on who the team’s next coach might be.

“I think Chris Paul, depending on who [the Clippers] hire, is going to stay with the Clippers,” a source told The Star-Telegram. “The Mavericks are really interested in Chris Paul, but I think they want Dwight more. They think they can make them a point guard.”

To that end, the Mavs are expected to target such fellow free-agents as Golden State’s Jarrett Jack and Memphis’ Jerryd Bayless. Dallas is also rumored to be aggressively shopping its No. 13 lottery pick obtained in last week’s NBA Draft Lottery. The team seems to think that salary cap space could be used to make a stronger pitch for Howard.

Forward Dirk Nowitzki has also previously indicated that he would be willing to sign for less money when he becomes a free-agent after next season, all as part of a plan to aid the team in luring another star player.

For the most part, Lakers are still considered to be in the driver’s seat in the Howard sweepstakes, primarily because they can offer him roughly $30 million more than any other team.

© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.