The Portland Trail Blazers are expected to look into adding unrestricted free agent Dwight Howard, reports ESPN's Zach Lowe.

The Blazers, who have plenty of cap space and could use a lot of help in the middle, will definitely kick the tires on Howard, according to Lowe's sources.

Lowe adds that teams have been balking at offering Howard a two-year deal worth anything approaching the maximum, though the Blazers need to keep pace in the highly competitive Western Conference and could be pressured into ponying up more cash.

The Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics have reportedly already secured the initial free-agent meetings with Howard, so the Trail Blazers may have some ground to make up.

A 12-year veteran, Howard averaged 13.7 points for the Houston Rockets last season, his lowest output since his rookie year, while adding 11.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks.