Daily Knicks
Fansided

Knicks Rumors: Pros And Cons Of Pursuing Dwight Howard

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 10, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
April 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2, left), center Dwight Howard (12, center), and guard James Harden (13, right) look on during the fourth quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Rockets 104-78. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2, left), center Dwight Howard (12, center), and guard James Harden (13, right) look on during the fourth quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Rockets 104-78. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Con: Cost

Dwight Howard is going to command a massive salary under the $94 million salary cap. It may or may nott be a max contract, but it’s quite clear that Howard can get big money from a postseason hopeful.

The New York Knicks will have no greater challenge during the summer of 2016 than deciding whether or not Howard is worth salary he’s commanding.

Howard will turn 31 years old in December, which means he’d be 34 years of age during the final season of a four-year deal. That’s a dangerous reality that the Knicks must consider before handing Howard the contract he’s likely looking for.

For a center who relies on his athleticism and has battled back and shoulder injuries, that could prove problematic.

Even if Howard were to improve his fundamentals as a post player, his injury history implies that his body could break down before the end of his contract. If that were to be the case, then the Knicks would be stuck in a financially prohibitive situation.

It’d be intriguing to see Howard working with the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Jeff Hornacek, Phil Jackson, Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick Rose, but at what cost?

Next: Pro

Home/Knicks News