California has a new millionaire’s tax, an item known as Prop 30 that was passed by voters last fall. The state takes 10 percent if you make beaucoup bucks and live in L.A., which many expect Dwight Howard to do for the next 5 years.
Texas, on the other hand, has no state income tax. And Texas also happens to be the home of the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets, two of the teams that will be courting Howard when he becomes a free agent July 1.
Howard has waited his whole career to be the No. 1 star on the free agent market, and he and his agent, Dan Fegan, will be receiving visitors. (Warmly, I would think).
And you can be darn sure that Prop 30, and its implications — it basically levels the playing field financially between the Mavs & Rockets and the Lakers — will be a part of the discussion.
Just a little something extra to think about in the wake of Howard’s inglorious exit Sunday night (he was ejected in the third quarter) in the Lakers’ Game 4 loss to the Spurs.
And don’t forget this either: Every player on the Lakers except Steve Nash has a contract that expires by the end of next season. So if Dwight stays in L.A., he will be part of a rebuilding team that sacrificed two first-round draft picks to acquire Nash.
Is there a championship formula there?
I, for one, am skeptical, which will come across quite clearly in this podcast with old ESPN colleague Amy Lawrence, now of CBS SportsRadio.
After watching Howard at his press conference today, I think you might be changing your mind. Howard left no impression at all that he wanted to stay in LA. He’s going to hide out, rehab. and wait for the calendar to show July 1, before going to Houston, a perfect fit for him and the Global image he will have with the Chinese/Taiwanese connection.
LA has already said they are committed to Howard, and I can’t see anything they could offer him with their salary restrictions.
The money isn’t much different, because that 5th year is fictitious. He is a confident guy, and he would get a new contract to replace that 5th year and possibly end up ahead. I can’t imagine any Shoe company giving him a lucrative deal after his display vs. Spurs. With Houston I could see more endorsements – just look at Yao Ming. I can’t see him choosing an aging Dallas team over Houston, with a young superstar and lots of young talent. He’s indicated to people he doesn’t want to go to ATL, and besides, the fans there are terrible. Houston has been trying to get him for over a year now.
Finally, even if Howard were to re-sign with Lakers, there would be a chance that he would be traded a few months into the season, if everything wasn’t going well. Howard said he wants to control his future and do what is best for him.