Report: Free-agent Dwight Howard to meet with Hawks, Celtics

Free-agent center Dwight Howard is expected to meet with as many as five teams hoping to sign him.

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Free-agent center Dwight Howard has granted recruiting meetings to the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics, ESPN reports.

Howard is expected to meet with as many as five teams hoping to sign him, ESPN reports, but the Hawks and Celtics are the first to officially schedule meetings. The Miami Heat are also reportedly hoping to secure a sitdown with Howard.

Howard, 30, opted out of his contract with the Houston Rockets by declining his $23.2 million player option last week. 

The eight-time All Star averaged 13.7 points and 11.8 rebounds last season for the Rockets, though doubt over his physical health and lingering back injuries has decreased his potential contract value.

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Free agency begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday.