Just days after the Charlotte Hornets traded him to the Brooklyn Nets, Dwight Howard could soon become a free agent.

The veteran is in talks with the Nets over a buyout agreement that would allow him to hit the open market and test free agency, according to ESPN's Chris Haynes.

Brooklyn took on the final year of the big man's contract from the Hornets, giving up Timofey Mozgov, two second-round picks and cash considerations in the deal.

Howard is owed $23.8 million this season but the New York-based franchise has agreed to work with the 32-year-old to buy him out and avoid having him on their books for next season.

Valuable piece

There's no doubt that the three-time Defensive Player of the Year would become one of the best free agent bigs and he could potentially land with a contending team if he's willing to take a discounted contract.

During a phone interview with ESPN, Howard said he's hoping to help a team win and wants to be given another chance to prove he's still an elite player.

"I want to be in a situation where I have an opportunity to help a team win," Howard said. "That's my only goal. All I need is a real chance and a clean slate where it's not people talking about my past."

The center is coming off a solid season with the Hornets where he averaged a double-double of 16.6 points and 12.5 rebounds, along with 1.6 blocks in 81 games.

It was his most productive campaign in recent years and Charlotte's decision to offload him came as a bit of a surprise.

Blindsided

The eight-time All-Star admitted the news came as a shock to him as it wasn't something he was anticipating.

"I was just really in total shock because I wasn't expecting it to happen," he said. "I thought this season was really good.

"For one, this is the healthiest I've been and two, my stats this season has been one of the best since I've been in the NBA."

His finest performance of the year came against the Brooklyn Nets where he posted an incredible 32 points and 30 rebounds, becoming just the second player to produce a 30-30 game in the last 36 years.

The former Orlando Magic star will surely command strong interest if he's available on a reduced contract as he can still be a double-double threat on a nightly basis.

"I want to give a team all of me, on and off the court," Howard said. "And basically, an organisation that will give me a clean slate and just let me be who I am.

"I still can jump, I still can play, I still can contribute and I can contribute in any system."

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