Dwight Howard to announce Friday

[CantBeRight]

Some of y'all need to actually watch Rockets games instead of reading about em and watching the ones only showed on national tv. Seriously?? The Rockets aren't a contender with Dwight freakin Howard. Smh.

[Ogaju]

google Dwight Howard girlfriend pic and you will know where he stays.

Houston and Dallas have girls too. She's just his latest.

I am surprised you only saw one girl. The kid is a philanderer just seems to suggest he has been taken in by the LA LIFESTYLE. He will be back in LA, IMO.

[D Dub]

LA 'lifestyle' is over rated, unless you really like spending time alone inside your car...
 

[Ogaju]

Dwight does not have to be alone and he can travel via chopper like Kobe.

[SparzWizard]

Peter Vecsey is reporting that Dwight Howard will announce his choice on Friday

Will it be like LBJs....

There's no one-hour special on ESPN 

[Boris Badenov]

If I had to bet on which "franchise" player in the league right now has the lowest chance of ever winning a ring, I'd pick Dwight Howard. I think he brings negativity and selfishness wherever he goes.

I hope he doesn't sign with Houston, because I kind of like that franchise.

I'd go with Carmelo.

Of course end of the bench type titles can happen for anyone.

Carmelo would be #2 on my list. Dwight just seems on another level to me in terms of immaturity.

It'll be interesting if Dwight signs with Houston, we will then get to hear what Kobe really thinks about him. Could be some interesting fireworks.

[kozlodoev]

Peter Vecsey is reporting that Dwight Howard will announce his choice on Friday

Will it be like LBJs....

There's no one-hour special on ESPN 

I think the only "announcements" of this sort should come from joint press conferences with teams after the contract has been signed. This is ridiculous.

[ScoobyDoo]

No State taxes in Houston.
LA can pay him more is overrated
He'll get another contract at 31
James Harden
Harden and Howard would be "very" difficult to deal with
Other solid role players

If they sign Howard they could trade Asik for another very solid player at a position of need.

I think he's a fool if stays with the Lakers, for two main rreasons:

1. Kobe is a major jerk - and it's already been reported they aren't "best buds". I wouldn't be surprised if Kobe saying the other day that he could play another 3-4 years has ushered Howard out of town. If you want to be "the lead guy" could you imagine having to suffer an aging, declining , ball hogging Kobe Bryant for the better part of your prime?

Howard would be a fool to re-sign with the Lakers.

After Howard signs with Houston the only questions I have are:

1. Do they try to trade Asik, a young player and a pick or two to Boston for Rajon Rondo
2. Do they then sign Josh Smith in Free agency?

 

[ScoobyDoo]

The other reason why I think he'd be a fool to stay in LA is because the Clippers, yes, those Clippers, are going to be the best team in LA for the next 5-10 years.

[Cman]

No, I mean that after everything has been factored in, Dwight would actually make more money playing for Dallas and Houston than if he were to play in LA.

Really? So it is 4 years $88M in Houston or 5 years $86M in LA?
In that case, no, he's going to Houston. But I find it hard to believe the taxes are so drastically different.... please provide source.

[RLewis35]

No, I mean that after everything has been factored in, Dwight would actually make more money playing for Dallas and Houston than if he were to play in LA.

Really? So it is 4 years $88M in Houston or 5 years $86M in LA?
In that case, no, he's going to Houston. But I find it hard to believe the taxes are so drastically different.... please provide source.

Rondoallaturca is right.  I don't have the exact contract differences in front of me, but the top marginal income tax rate in CA (above $1M) is a whopping 10.3%.  I think between $50,000 and $1,000,000 it's still 9.3%.  So on $25M a year we're talking a difference of $2.6M per year (probably slightly less due to different deductions but close to that).  It's significant.  Throw in endorsements and it is even more...

[rondoallaturca]

No, I mean that after everything has been factored in, Dwight would actually make more money playing for Dallas and Houston than if he were to play in LA.

Really? So it is 4 years $88M in Houston or 5 years $86M in LA?
In that case, no, he's going to Houston. But I find it hard to believe the taxes are so drastically different.... please provide source.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324853704578583320651284076.html

[Cman]

No, I mean that after everything has been factored in, Dwight would actually make more money playing for Dallas and Houston than if he were to play in LA.

Really? So it is 4 years $88M in Houston or 5 years $86M in LA?
In that case, no, he's going to Houston. But I find it hard to believe the taxes are so drastically different.... please provide source.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324853704578583320651284076.html

^^difficult for those of us not subscribed to the WSJ

Here's a similar article in Forbes (no subscription required): http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonynitti/2013/05/23/could-state-taxes-cause-dwight-howard-to-flee-l-a-for-houston/2/

Howard still gets more by staying in LA, but not on a per year basis.

In any case, I didn't realize the difference in taxes was so big, so yes, I cede the point.

[Quetzalcoatl]

Any word on the decision 2.0?

I am much more interested in the Welcome Party they throw. Who would Houston's third guy be?  Lin? 

"Here are your 2014 Houston Rockets! Dwight Howard, James Harden and ....uh.... Chandler Parsons?  I think...yeah!  It's Chandler Parsons!  Let's give them a hand!"

[rondoallaturca]

No, I mean that after everything has been factored in, Dwight would actually make more money playing for Dallas and Houston than if he were to play in LA.

Really? So it is 4 years $88M in Houston or 5 years $86M in LA?
In that case, no, he's going to Houston. But I find it hard to believe the taxes are so drastically different.... please provide source.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324853704578583320651284076.html

^^difficult for those of us not subscribed to the WSJ

Here's a similar article in Forbes (no subscription required): http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonynitti/2013/05/23/could-state-taxes-cause-dwight-howard-to-flee-l-a-for-houston/2/

Howard still gets more by staying in LA, but not on a per year basis.

In any case, I didn't realize the difference in taxes was so big, so yes, I cede the point.

I'm not subscribed to WSJ, either. Maybe try again?

The Forbes article fails to take into account jock taxes and various other things that WSJ compiled, which would make up for the difference that Forbes is lacking in. The WSJ article states that after EVERYTHING has been accounted for, Dwight will earn $8M more in Texas, or roughly an extra $2M a year.