Based on the reported size of the buyout Dwight Howard agreed to with the Brooklyn Nets, the Charlotte Hornets’ decision to trade Howard, rather than waive him, looked additionally questionable Saturday.
The Washington Post reported Howard will give up $5 million of his $23.5 million salary for next season to become a free agent, rather than join the rebuilding Nets. The Hornets completed a trade Friday that sent Howard to the Nets for two second-round picks, cash and the remaining two seasons (nearly $33 million) on center Timofey Mozgov’s contract.
Dwight Howard’s buyout with the Nets was for $5 million, per league sources.