Report: Howard decides to play for Houston Rockets

HOUSTON, July 5 (UPI) -- Free agent Dwight Howard has decided to sign with the Houston Rockets, but his agent said Howard has not made a final choice, USA Today reported Friday.

The newspaper said Howard has decided on Houston and CBSSports.com said it confirmed the report with two different sources, but Sports Illustrated reported late Friday Howard's agent, Dan Fegan, said Howard hoped to decide Friday night or Saturday morning.

Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey tweeted, "While we are excited & cautiously optimistic @DwightHoward might choose Houston, we have not yet heard about his decision."

Howard, 27, was being courted by the Los Angeles Lakers -- where he played for one season after being traded from Orlando -- along with the Rockets, the Dallas Mavericks, the Atlanta Hawks and the Golden State Warriors.

Howard, a seven-time NBA all-star, averaged 17.1 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks while shooting 57.8 percent from the field for the Lakers, who went 45-37 in the regular season and lost to eventual Western Conference champion San Antonio in the first round of the playoffs.

The Rockets also went 45-37 last season and lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.