Call me stupid, but I think there are still situations out there where he could be very helpful to a team. For example, Dwight on Portland could be an interesting experiment for a season. Sign Dwight to a 3 year 60 million dollar deal. If you're the Blazers, I'd go for it.
Possibly, it's a good point and there is money floating out there but there will be next summer as well. It's a way out of Houston too. I bet this was a point of contention between him and Fagen. I don't think he gets 20+ per even if he opts out this summer. If he does opt out I believe he will ask that much but after seeing the market for him he will be looking at like a 4 year 60 mil deal. If he opts in he gets 23 mil next year but does his game continue to decline? Most likely and how much or what about injury? He could probably still get decent money next summer on a 3 year if he plays ok, all depends on next season but I think you may right in that he probably has no faith in himself for next season's performance and could just go for the quick cash grab. Be interesting to see which teams are that dumb or desperate. I honestly think that Fagen has felt out the market for Howard and let him know that GMs aren't that hot on him and then Howard and his posse decided to let Fagen go.
Oh somebody will do it and he'll give them 2-3 months of pretty good ball and everyone will say "See? He just needed a change of scenery!" Then he'll pout about Lillard being the man and Lillard will be unhappy that some big jerk showed up, isn't taking things seriously, and is demanding the ball every possession. Then Dwight will demand out and yet inexplicably find ways turn down the trade offer when it's finally made.
