NBA Free Agency Update: Houston Rockets Confident Dwight Howard Already In The Bag; Team Now Talking With Shooters To Surround All-Star Center

The Houston Rockets are confident they can sign free-agent center Dwight Howard this offseason, saying they are not going to ink fall-back free-agents but pieces that fit nicely with the All-Star big man.

According to ESPN's reporter Marc Stein, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said they are now negotiating steady three-point shooters in an attempt to surround Howard with shooters and give him more space to operate on the shade lane.

According to ESPN correspondent Marc Stein, the Rockets are scheduled to meet former Denver Nuggets guard Corey Brewer and Milwaukee Bucks long-range bomber Mike Dunleavy Jr.

Brewer, who carved out a name as an efficient scorer off the bench, averaged 12.1 points last season with the Nuggets. Although he shot just .296 percent from the three-point line in the regular-season and .250 percent in the playoffs, Brewer is considered as a reliable two-way player, who can score in various ways on the floor and guard the opposing team's wingmen.

Dunleavy Jr., on the other hand, had a decent season as a reserve for the Bucks. Dunleavy averaged 10.5 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting .428 percent from three-point territory.

The Rockets believe Brewer and Dunleavy Jr. are perfect complement to Howard, who's expected to decide his future next week.

Howard, the top free-agent this offseason, already met with the Rockets representatives on Sunday and is scheduled to hear the pitches of the Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Howard averaged 17.1 points and 12.4 rebounds in a tumultuous season with the Lakers.