Dwight Howard is an unrestricted free agent, and his services are probably the most sought after this summer. So who is Dwight meeing with and what factors will play a role in signing the big man?

First up for Howard was last night's star-studded meeting with the Houston Rockets.

It was revealed by Mike Bresnahan, the Lakers beat writer for the Los Angeles Times, that Howard received an unexpected in-person meeting with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak last night after free agency officially started at 9:01 pm PST.

Kupchak planned to call DH at 9:01 p.m. but Laker source said he wanted to go beyond that + meet briefly w/ DH. Unclear if that happened.

— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) July 1, 2013

Source: Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak indeed met with Dwight Howard briefly after free agency started at 9:01 p.m. Lakers pushing hard... — Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) July 1, 2013

This came in the moments before Dwight met for dinner with the Houston Rockets group that included former Hall-of-Famers, Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, and a Skype message from China's Yao Ming.

The former Rockets were joined by Rockets GM Daryl Morey, owner Leslie Alexander, CEO Tad Brown, and current players James Harden and Chandler Parsons. 

But Kupchak got to Howard first, and the Lakers told Howard they'd like to be his last stop among the team's he's meeting with this week. 

Today, Howard is meeting with the Hawks and the Warriors. The Hawks are said to be a prefunctory visit for Howard since it's his old hometown and the Hawks don't have the pieces to contend for a title. 

Likewise, the Warriors are said to be long shots at landing Howard since they would be unable to afford his max contract without a sign-and-trade with the Lakers and possibly dealing power forward David Lee (who they are shopping, it's being reported). 

On Tuesday, Dwight will meet with the Mavericks, where owner Mark Cuban and franchise star Dirk Nowitzki are likely to pitch the big man, followed by Howard's final meeting with the Lakers. 

There had been rumors that Kobe Bryant would not be in the meeting with Howard on Tuesday night, but he's since decided to attend, probably at the beckoning of Kupchak. 

Former stars Shaquille O'Neal and possibly former coach Phil Jackson and his beau Jeanie Buss (minority owner and daughter of the late Jerry Buss) will also be at that final meeting with Kupchak. 

There had been reports that Howard would not return to the Lakers unless they fired coach Mike D'Antoni, but Howard released a statement denying the charge. 

That being said, Howard has conflicted with D'Antoni's run-and-gun offense predicated on Howard setting high screen before rolling to the bucket rather than working in his perferred space on the block. 

The Dwightmare continues, with a lot to be determined, but as of right now the Rockets are in the driver's seat with the Lakers not far behind since they can offer nearly $30 million and an extra year to Howard.