Recent rumors have emerged that Dwight Howard could be keen on joining the New York Knicks next season if he chooses to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Houston Rockets and become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Daily Knicks reported that Howard "wants to play for the Knicks" next season as "he'll be a free agent during the summer of 2016".

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New York is estimated to have $18 million of salary cap space in the summer, which could be enough to pay the 30-year-old, eight-time NBA All-Star as he is said to be interested in joining Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis to possibly form a Big Three in the Big Apple franchise.

Anthony is also reportedly eager to help Phil Jackson and the other Knicks officials in the recruiting efforts this offseason and Howard is one of their primary targets.

Despite Howard's negative press in the past several years, there is no denying that he is a force to be reckoned with especially in the shaded area. The five-time All-NBA First Team center is currently averaging 14.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.5 blocks in 32.7 minutes a night with the Rockets even though he is still having lingering back issues.

It was also mentioned in the report that Howard's seemingly lack of motivation to win the "big one" could be fixed by none other than the Zen Master Jackson himself. If Phil could get two huge egos such as Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal to effectively play together at their best, he could also bring out the best in Howard even when the center does not realize it.

Fox Sports noted that "Howard is likely to opt out of his contract with Houston and become a free agent again this summer, and the aura around him has changed, to say the least".

This means that while he may still command a max or close to max salary, the offers will certainly not be as large as it was three years ago.

Citing ESPN's Ian Begley, the report said that "some of Howard's friends have let it be known recently that the center would be interested in coming to New York as a free agent if he opts out of his current contract."

While the Jackson and the Knicks would surely welcome the opportunity to sign an eager Howard, the real question is will the union of both parties work? The answer is only time will tell if and when it happens.

TagsNBA Free-Agency Rumors, NBA Free-Agency Rumors 2016, Dwight Howard, houston rockets, new york knicks