It looks like the Houston Rockets' starting center Dwight Howard will be opting out and testing the free agency market next year.
According to bleacherreport.com, sources close to Howard has confirmed his inclination of weighing his options in free agency.
Amidst rumors that Howard is unhappy in Houston due to his sidekick role to James Harden, the center declined those allegations. "I chose to go to Houston (via free agency in the summer of 2013), so why would I just say, 'I'm not happy' and leave," Howard said. "I chose this place, you know what I'm saying? And I want to make this thing work here. Obviously we haven't been playing great basketball, and personally for myself my numbers don't seem like I've been playing great, but the only thing on my mind is trying to grow as a man and grow as a teammate and a leader."
He then added "All the BS that's around, sometimes it is frustrating to hear it, because I know who I am as a man and I know what I'm trying to do for this city."
As per chron.com, Howard had regrets regarding his departure from the Orlando Magic. Back in 2012, his pending free agency and hinted trade demands led to the much publicized time of the Magic franchise as the "Dwightmare." Despite the rocky ending, the All-Star center said he enjoyed his time with the team.
"I think about it a lot, talk about it a lot," Howard said about his time in Orlando. "We had an amazing time, even though it didn't end the way we all wanted it to end. At the end of the day, my time here was great, every minute of it -being in the community, going to the Finals, being at Disney World or Universal Studios. I had a great time here. I wish things didn't happen the way they did, to end on a sour note.
"At the end of the day, my time here was amazing," the defensive center concluded.
Rumors have therefore surfaced that Howard could return to the Magic in free agency. With a crop of young talent and lack of one superstar, Howard could make amends and be that franchise player in Orlando once again.