The Houston Rockets have enough talent to remain a playoff player in the Western Conference, but the team would like to add free-agent center Dwight Howard to become a championship contender. At least that is the message third-year small forward Chandler Parsons is sending Howard.
Chandler Parsons is selling Dwight Howard on the Rockets daily
The free-agent center could be the missing piece to make Houston a championship contender next season.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE
According to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, Parsons has been working to make sure Howard gives the Rockets his full consideration should he move on from the Los Angeles Lakers during the free agent signing period which begins on July 1. The spectacle of the NBA Finals and the Miami Heat celebrating their second title persuaded Parsons to push send on a few extra texts to Howard.
“After watching that last night,” Parsons said, “I hit him with, ‘Come to Houston. That could be us.’ ”
That wasn’t anything new for Howard. He has heard plenty from Parsons this offseason.
“I talk to Dwight every day,” Parsons said. “I’ve created a relationship with him, where I feel like we’re very close. He hits me up about everything. I’ve covered pretty much every question he’s had. I basically tell him, ‘We have a chance to be really good without you next year. We’re going to have a good season. Why not come and join us, join our core guys who are for sure to be here and make us great, make us contend for a championship?’
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey has been working to create enough cap space to make room for Howard on his roster. While that effort continues, the team still has to entice the veteran center to team up with the young talent on the Rockets roster led by James Harden. A healthy, happy Howard would certainly lift Houston's profile as a championship contender in the Western Conference.
The Rockets were recently hit with fines from the NBA for free agent tampering due to free agent speculation on their website. But players don’t represent their team in negotiations, so Parsons is taking advantage with his proactive approach to sell his new friend on a new team before official negotiation between NBA teams and free agents begins on the first day of July.
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