Rockets Receive 'Hopeful Signals' Of Dwight Howard's Interest

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Houston Rockets have received "hopeful signals" that Dwight Howard is genuinely considering signing with the team in free agency, according to sources.

Howard has conveyed interest in joining James Harden with the Rockets.

Sources say Howard will make in-person recruiting visits to the Rockets and Dallas Mavericks once free agency begins.

Howard may add other teams to the list.

The Los Angeles Lakers can offer a five-year deal worth $120 million to Howard, though their financial advantage isn't as significant as it seems due to the absence of state taxes in Texas.

Via Marc Stein/ESPN

[A BETTER DJ]

Add in lower cost of living with no taxes and Houston looks way better than LA.
Plus add in the traffic in LA- it doesn't matter how much money you make, unless you are in a helicopter you get stuck in the same traffic jams that the poor people do. I've been in every state but Alaska and the traffic is definitely the worst in LA!

[Enemy]

I think Asik is fine and brings no drama for the Rockets. And I feel they should concentrate on acquiring another scorer and a lockdown perimeter defender.

[DEEP3CL]

Add in lower cost of living with no taxes and Houston looks way better than LA.
Plus add in the traffic in LA- it doesn't matter how much money you make, unless you are in a helicopter you get stuck in the same traffic jams that the poor people do. I've been in every state but Alaska and the traffic is definitely the worst in LA!

Oh please stop, if you plan your time you can move around LA in a timely fashion. I've been here all my life and don't have a problem getting from spot to spot here.

And when are guys gonna gain an ounce of common sense and stop trying to overhype the state tax BS. He still gonna give up that money the minute he sets foot back in California for games period. Plus it's the Federal Tax that will whack him in the wallet no matter what city he calls home.

My whole stance on Howard is this, if all these so called media reports are true then why wait for July 1st if it's a definite that you're gone ? Just say you're not going back to LA and Laker fans ( the one's that are worried ) and the franchise can just move on.

One thing for sure, I don't want no sign and trade. I'd rather gain the possible cap space his slot will open up. More money for the summer of 2014 anyway.

[Goldtop]

Plus add in the traffic in LA- it doesn't matter how much money you make, unless you are in a helicopter you get stuck in the same traffic jams that the poor people do.

What do you think rich ppl get their own expressways in other cities?

[Ron Anderson]

Add in lower cost of living with no taxes and Houston looks way better than LA.
Plus add in the traffic in LA- it doesn't matter how much money you make, unless you are in a helicopter you get stuck in the same traffic jams that the poor people do. I've been in every state but Alaska and the traffic is definitely the worst in LA!

Oh please stop, if you plan your time you can move around LA in a timely fashion. I've been here all my life and don't have a problem getting from spot to spot here.

And when are guys gonna gain an ounce of common sense and stop trying to overhype the state tax BS. He still gonna give up that money the minute he sets foot back in California for games period. Plus it's the Federal Tax that will whack him in the wallet no matter what city he calls home.

My whole stance on Howard is this, if all these so called media reports are true then why wait for July 1st if it's a definite that you're gone ? Just say you're not going back to LA and Laker fans ( the one's that are worried ) and the franchise can just move on.

One thing for sure, I don't want no sign and trade. I'd rather gain the possible cap space his slot will open up. More money for the summer of 2014 anyway.

Don't forget the UNGODLY SMOG!!! which could shorten his career by 2-4 yrs

[DEEP3CL]

Add in lower cost of living with no taxes and Houston looks way better than LA.
Plus add in the traffic in LA- it doesn't matter how much money you make, unless you are in a helicopter you get stuck in the same traffic jams that the poor people do. I've been in every state but Alaska and the traffic is definitely the worst in LA!

Oh please stop, if you plan your time you can move around LA in a timely fashion. I've been here all my life and don't have a problem getting from spot to spot here.

And when are guys gonna gain an ounce of common sense and stop trying to overhype the state tax BS. He still gonna give up that money the minute he sets foot back in California for games period. Plus it's the Federal Tax that will whack him in the wallet no matter what city he calls home.

My whole stance on Howard is this, if all these so called media reports are true then why wait for July 1st if it's a definite that you're gone ? Just say you're not going back to LA and Laker fans ( the one's that are worried ) and the franchise can just move on.

One thing for sure, I don't want no sign and trade. I'd rather gain the possible cap space his slot will open up. More money for the summer of 2014 anyway.

Don't forget the UNGODLY SMOG!!! which could shorten his career by 2-4 yrs

Dude that so called smog hasn't been a problem here for years.

[FNQ]

Don't forget the UNGODLY SMOG!!! which could shorten his career by 2-4 yrs

Reference point: Houston is the #7 smoggiest city in the US according to CBS. They've been at #1 before too.

Not listed in the top 10 of smoggiest cities the past decade: Atlanta, San Francisco.

[FNQ]

Don't forget the UNGODLY SMOG!!! which could shorten his career by 2-4 yrs

Dude that so called smog hasn't been a problem here for years.[/quote]

LA was #3 in 2011, and then repeated as champs in 2013 after their comeback win in 2012. They haven't left the top 10 this decade.

[Ron Anderson]

aww, I was just being sarcastic and just about every major city is going to have a good amount of pollution. I don't think it's going to shorten a player's career either , but as far as taxes go you would be surprised how much that matters ppl are greedy and every dime counts.

[DEEP3CL]

LA was #3 in 2011, and then repeated as champs in 2013 after their comeback win in 2012. They haven't left the top 10 this decade.

Bogus report as far as I'm concerned. I remember how it was back in the days and this present day doesn't come close. A lot of that was do to the oil refineries here in the southern part of LA, But now their operating under state laws to control the emissions that comes from production.

And last I remember Texas has wayyyyy more refineries than Cali does.

[FNQ]

These are reports from special companies designed to figure these things out, they have no reason to lie. Though I dont know how they determine these types of things

[PNL]

And when are guys gonna gain an ounce of common sense and stop trying to overhype the state tax BS. He still gonna give up that money the minute he sets foot back in California for games period. Plus it's the Federal Tax that will whack him in the wallet no matter what city he calls home.

He will still give up 'that money' the minute he sets foot back in California, but that's for only a maximum of 8 games in the NBA season (Kings, Warriors, Clippers, Laker two times a year, which I don't believe is possible), while he would not be paying state taxes for 46 games (42 games in Houston, 4 in Dallas/San Antonio).

Forbes did the numbers already, and the amount saved over the first 4 years is 8 million in favor of Houston, given both of teams maxes.

Not paying taxes at all isn't the problem, paying the highest state taxes in the nation in addition to federal taxes is what makes the difference, which is hardly 'overhyped.'