NBA Rumors: Dwight Howard To Hawks; What It Means For Al Horford

NBA Rumors: Now that Dwight Howard has agreed to sign with the Atlanta Hawks, we dive into what it means for Al Horford

The Atlanta Hawks have started their free agency with a bang, signing former All-Star Dwight Howard to a three-year, $70.5 million deal (according to Shams Charania of The Vertical)

If this was the summer of 2013, the city of Atlanta would be celebrating the return of their hometown kid, a kid who had entered the NBA straight out of high school and become the most dominant big man since Shaquille O’Neal in his time in Orlando.

Three years later and the signing no longer holds the same amount of excitement it once did. Howard, who has spent the last three seasons with the Houston Rockets, averaged a mediocre 13.7 points and 11.8 rebounds this past season. But there is still hope that the former 3-time Defensive Player of the Year can find some of his old magic in Atlanta.

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On January 18, Howard went off for 36 points and 26 rebounds against the Los Angeles Clippers, proving that, given the opportunity, he could still produce.

Houston couldn’t provide Howard with these opportunities so he left. In the 2015-16 season, Howard attempted only 8.5 field goals a game, the fifth-most shots on his own team (behind James Harden, Trevor Ariza, Michael Beasley and Marcus Thornton).

Many sources also reported tension between Howard and superstar James Harden, something else that led to Howard’s departure from Clutch City.

Approaching 31 years of age, this is Howard’s last opportunity to be a key contributor on a contending team. Atlanta managed to get to the second round of the playoffs last year before being swept by the eventual champs, the Cleveland Cavaliers. If Howard is able to produce at an all-star level season, the Hawks could be poised to reach the Conference Finals for only the second time since moving to Atlanta.

What does the signing mean for Hawks free agent Al Horford?

The signing of Dwight Howard and re-signing of Kent Bazemore guarantees that 4-time All-Star Al Horford probably won’t be suiting up for the Hawks this coming season. According to Zach Lowe of ESPN, the Hawks had about $19 million left in cap space, but effectively none if you include Horford’s cap hold, before they re-signed Bazemore to a 4-year, $70 million deal (per Brian Windhorst of ESPN)

With Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard now on the Hawks payroll, Horford could be the odd man out in the frontcourt. Horford need not worry as the 2016 All-Star has several teams fighting for his services – including the Celtics, Thunder, Wizards, Pistons and Howard’s former team, the Houston Rockets.

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Once he signs elsewhere, this will be his first season not donning a Hawks uniform after being drafted third overall by Atlanta in the 2007 NBA Draft.

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