Dwight says he'll play 10 more years; not thinking about contract status
At the Houston Rockets' training camp Wednesday, Dwight Howard got down to brass tacks - regarding his lack of retirement plans, though not free agency.
"I got about a good 10 years left in me," he told media members in attendance.
"I'm going to give everything I got for these 10, 11 years I got left."
The 29-year-old center entered the league out of high school as the Orlando Magic used the first overall pick in the 2004 draft on the wiry teenager.
Howard played in all 82 games during his rookie season - averaging a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds - as he showed signs of becoming one of the Association's most dominant big men.
Since his first year in the league, Howard had never missed more than 12 games in a single season. However, his long-standing durability was challenged in the 2014-15 campaign, which saw the 6-foot-11 iron man sit out 41 games due to knee troubles.
With his twelfth pro go-around drawing nigh, Howard reminded reporters of his relative youth, seemingly confident in his current bill of health.
"Y'all acting like I'm about to retire," he said. "I mean, I feel good. I'm 29 years old regardless of me being in the league for 12 years, I'm fairly young."
His intention to play an additional decade aside, Howard has more immediate decisions on his plate.
The Atlanta native - who'll make $22.3 million this upcoming season - is eligible to opt out of his contract in order to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Considering the forthcoming rising salary cap, Howard has the opportunity to hit the open market - a maneuver that could yield the jovial giant a significant increase in earnings.
Nevertheless, Howard remains focused on his current duties with the Rockets.
"I'm not a guy who lives in the future. The only moment that matters is right now and what we accomplish as a team," he said.
This tune may sound familiar to Los Angeles Lakers fans.
Howard - a free agent in the summer of 2013 - spurned the purple and gold, bolting the Golden State for the Lone Star State.
As a member of the 2013-14 Rockets, Howard experienced fierce backlash - from Lakers fans in particular - for his Hollywood exodus.
Two years removed from the incident, Howard seems to have honed in on a specific goal.
"There is no need for me to focus on anything that's going to happen next summer. My job is to focus on how I can help this team be the best team in the NBA and win a championship."