As Lakers fans across the country, even the world, rose out of bed this morning, there’s was a sense of anxiety over what would happen today. There was a sense of uncertainty, a sense that unpredictability. Dwight Howard was rumored to have set a deadline today on making his decision, and the Lakers weren’t the front runners, leaving fans anxious. They wanted it to be over, but even that wasn’t a sure thing.
I know a lot of you expect a decision from Dwight Howard today, but his camp never set a Friday deadline. It could be a few more days.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 5, 2013
And then BANG!, the first shots of the day.
Dwight has made his decision. Said he will announce his destination via Twitter possibly this weekend
— janis carr (@janiscarr) July 5, 2013
But, just a few minutes later, things got weird.
Hold on....my tweet about Dwight's announcement was premature. No need to sit on Twitter this weekend.
— janis carr (@janiscarr) July 5, 2013
As the morning progressed, talks of Golden State clearing space to sign Dwight outright grew.
Golden State has Philadelphia, Cleveland and Utah involved in talks on complicated deals for salary dumps, league sources tell Y! Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 5, 2013
But Lakers fans remained optimistic that no one would take those contracts for nothing. Alas, our first #WOJBOMB
Golden State has reached agreement with Utah on a trade to unload salary, league sources tell Y! Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 5, 2013
Not only had they agreed on a deal, but they shed a huge chunk of salaries by dealing Richard Jefferson and Andris Biedrins for next to nothing. Could they really be in this Dwight Howard race, just like that? Nope, another #WOJBOMB
Andre Igoudala has reached agreement with Golden State on a four year, $48 million deal with the Warriors, league source tells Y! Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 5, 2013
HOLY CRAP! The Warriors grabbed Iggy AND they weren’t out of the Dwight race yet! But yet, we underestimate the powers of Dwight Howard.
Source close to Dwight Howard says no decision made. It's down to Houston and L.A. They informed Dallas, Atlanta, Golden State they're out.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 5, 2013
At this point, it’s a full sprint. Everyone is paying close attention to Twitter, expect an announcement at any time, but not sure what about. But there was a calm before the storm. The inevitably loomed. And out of the blue…
Dwight Howard has chosen to sign with the Houston Rockets, @USATODAYSports has learned. Story to come. - http://t.co/eNYYg63uJo
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 5, 2013
It was done, finished, Dwight was a Rocket. Everyone from Adrian Wojnarowski to David Aldridge to Chris Broussard were reporting it. It was such a sure thing that most were reporting on the second phase of the Rockets plan, with rumors of sign and trades for Ryan Anderson or Josh Smith. But things weren’t adding up.
While we are excited & cautiously optimistic @DwightHoward might choose Houston, we have not yet heard about his decision
— Daryl Morey 🗽🏀 (@dmorey) July 5, 2013
While we are excited & cautiously optimistic @DwightHoward might choose Houston, we have not yet heard about his decision
— Daryl Morey 🗽🏀 (@dmorey) July 5, 2013
As LakersNation put it, the decision had been made, the announcement hadn’t. Then this threw everyone off the tracks.
Dwight Howard is currently flying from Colorado to Los Angeles and plans to speak to Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak later today.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) July 5, 2013
Dwight Howard is en route to L.A. now to meet with Lakers. I'm told the extra money that he could earn in L.A. is still weighing on Howard.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 6, 2013
Source close to Dwight Howard: "The reports are inaccurate. The Lakers haven't been informed of anything" WHY WON'T THIS END!?
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 6, 2013
This meeting is the Lakers' last chance to persuade Dwight Howard to stay. Mitch Kupchak will be in attendance. Trying to find out who else.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 6, 2013
Lakers fans were officially into panic mode. No one knew what was happening. Could Dwight really second-guess himself that much? Turn his back on the team that quickly? The answers weren’t going to be able to come soon enough.
Source: D12 has landed in LA & told Lakers it's 50-50 btwn them and the Rockets. He's having 2nd thoughts about leaving $30 mill on table
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 6, 2013
Finally, the answer came. After a day full of confusion, panic, and misery, the decision was made.
It's Houston. Source close to Dwight Howard confirms that he'll join the Rockets. He'll inform the Lakers and make an official announcement.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 6, 2013
Dwight would go on to comment on his time with the Lakers and his decision, which you can find here. But for Lakers fans, they had enough. After a long day, Dwight wasn’t a Laker, and at that point, they didn’t care.
Dwight Howard came to LA in impressive fashion and left LA in a dazzling manner. Like only Dwight Howard could, he left an impact on the Lakers.
