The Houston Rockets are optimistic that they have already gained momentum in their bid to steal Dwight Howard away from the Los Angeles Lakers in next month's free agency, according to ESPN on Friday. Sources close to the process told ESPN.com that the Rockets have received what has been described as "hopeful signals" that Howard is seriously considering a jump from the Lakers to the Rockets after becoming a free agent July 1.
Although Houston is well aware that Howard has an infamous reputation for being indecisive, sources say that Howard has conveyed his rising interest to Rockets superstar guard James Harden, his former teammate with USA Basketball.
Sources say Howard, furthermore, has already made it clear he'll field in-person recruiting visits from both the Rockets and Dallas Mavericks once free agency begins. It's possible, sources said, that other teams will be added to the list.
After the Rockets' elimination from the playoffs in May, when asked if he'll be an active participant in recruiting free-agents during the offseason, Harden told ESPN.com: "Hell, yeah." When asked specifically about Howard, the guard cracked a smile and said: "Maybe. Possibly."
There can be no formal contract between the Rockets and Howard until July 1, but the NBA does not typically regard discussions between players before the start of free agency as a form of tampering because the league finds it difficult to try to referee the nature of discussions between friends.
Several rival executives, meanwhile, told ESPN.com that Rockets general manager Daryl Morey has likewise left the impression in recent days that his team believes they have a legitimate shot at luring Howard away from the Lakers. ESPN.com reported in April that the Rockets were planning to trade away 2012's No. 5 overall pick, Thomas Robinson, to a team with salary-cap space to create the requisite room to offer a max contract to Howard.
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