Dwight Howard is once again at the center of rampant rumors regarding potentially leaving the Houston Rockets in free agency.
According to hoopshype.com, multiple free agents such as Kevin Durant, Lebron James and Hassan Whiteside will be available next offseason where Howard will also have the option leave the team. Thus, rumors have surfaced that Howard could be traded if they feel he will eventually leave the team.
In addition to this, rumors have surfaced that Howard has not been happy being the side kick to James Harden. This just further intensifies speculation of him bolting during free agency. However, Howard expressed his loyalty to the team as per Yahoo! Sports.
"I haven't said anything to anybody about anything," Howard said. "People make up lies and rumors. That's never been my focus. I'm trying to get these guys to play better and myself to play better."
"People are going to say what they got to say to get a story out," he added. "People are always going to come up with some rumor and lies. That's what is. I can't focus on that, and I don't want my teammates to focus on that."
He then stated "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?"
"I chose this place, you know what I'm saying? And I want to make this thing work here," the All-Star center expressed. "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."
"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."
