Howard ‘bye’out for $5M
LAS VEGAS — The marriage between the Nets and Dwight Howard was even shorter than a drunken Las Vegas affair. And multiple sources told The Post the buyout — which ended up being for $5 million — wasn’t exactly mutual, and that the Nets never had any intention of keeping the eight-time All-Star.
The Nets waived Howard on Friday, as soon as the trade became official. And Saturday the Washington Post reported the buyout was for $5 million, roughly what Howard will get from the Wizards when he signs. It was more than Howard wanted to give back, but less than the 30 percent buyout candidates often do.
“If you look back historically on players of his caliber with one year left, it would be markedly less than [a third],” Nets general manager Sean Marks said. “But at the end of the day, I think this is something we mutually want. Neither one of us is trying to have this drawn out. We want to leave on good terms. ... It will hopefully work out for both sides.”
Howard had publicly stated that the buyout was his idea so he could play for a contender.
But sources close to both Howard and the Nets have told The Post that Howard — who tried repeatedly to force a trade to Brooklyn several years ago — was happy to move to a big market and willing to play for the Nets. They just weren’t willing to have him, having made the deal to clear Timofey Mozgov’s $16.7 million salary off the 2019-20 books.
Now the buyout should give the Nets $11.6 million this summer. Marks acknowledged how much they got back from Howard would largely steer his strategy for the rest of the summer, whether they shop for free agents or can afford to take salary dumps such as Denver’s Kenneth Faried.
The Nets lost 90-76 to OKC in summer league action. Theo Pinson had 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting, 3-of-5 from deep. Yuta Watanabe added 13 points, five rebounds and four blocks.
Juan Pablo Vaulet (foot), Rodions Kurucs and Dzanan Musa (buyouts pending), and Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert (rest) sat out.