NBA: Ranking The Top 25 Free Agents Of 2016

Jan 20, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) is injured during the first half against Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) is injured during the first half against Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 24, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) dunks against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) dunks against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

7 – Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets – 6’11” Center

Dwight Howard has averaged a double-double in each of the 12 seasons he has played in. This man-beast in a rebounding machine. Last season, he averaged 13.7 PPG to go along with 11.8 RPG, which is actually the lowest average in years for the former all-star big man. However, they are still averages most big men will never achieve.

Dwight Howard is arguably the second best big man in this free agency period. The biggest key that has always surrounded the star has been his free throw shooting percentage, or lack thereof. Howard shoots a dismal .489 from behind the free throw line, the lowest of his career this past season.

Related Story: Deciding Between Al Horford and Dwight Howard

Some state though that they are willing to take his free throw problems for all the other contributions he brings to a team. Especially if the “Hack-a-Howard” rule is put in place to stop from that, his free throw numbers will go down tremendously.

He averaged nearly seven free throws per game last year. Dwight has a player option on this last year of his contract and has not publicly stated he is opting out, but if the Rockets sign head coach Mike D’Antoni, expect Howard to opt out the next day.

Next: Al Horford