Report: Sixers Sign Dwight Howard

Daryl Morey and the Sixers have made their first move in free agency. Reports have come out that the team has agreed to a deal with free agent big man Dwight Howard.

Howard is coming off a season where he won his first championship as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. He averaged 7.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 1.1 BPG in 69 games with the Lakers last year.

This move was quite a surprise after Howard went on Twitter and announced that he was returning to the Lakers, then deleting the post shortly after. Howard will be signing a one-year veteran's minimum contract to become a member of the Sixers.

After trading away Al Horford on draft day, the Sixers were in the market for a backup center. Morey has filled that slot in Howard, and at a very team friendly price. He should provide quality center minutes for the Sixers when Joel Embiid is off the floor.

Many fans were clamoring for a reunion between Nerlens Noel and the Sixers, but this move is just as good. This addition now adds a veteran big with playoff a championship experience.

There was a good period of time where Dwight Howard was looked at as the best player at his position. Same as Al Horford was supposed to be, Howard should be a good mentor to Joel Embiid as he enters his prime.

The addition of Howard should be a positive on both sides of the ball. His ability to defend and protect the rim, keeping the Sixers' defensive identity. Howard should also help on offense in the pick-and-roll game with young guards like Shake Milton and Tyrese Maxey.

All in all this was a great move by the Sixers. They add a legit backup center in Howard, and preserved most of the limited cap space they have to work with.

Kevin McCormick is the 76ers insider for 97.3 ESPN and 76ers editor for Sportstalkphilly.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevinMcC973.