Dwight Howard has experienced something of a career resurgence with the Los Angeles Lakers over the past year. After essentially being written off as done and uncoachable, he has somehow turned himself into a crucial part of a championship team.
Howard is an unrestricted free agent after this season. He agreed to a one-year, $2.56 million deal in hopes of reviving his career. Mission accomplished.
If the Lakers win the title, presumably they will want to keep him. He was an important piece of their impossible-to-stop big man lineup.
However, they may have some competition.
According to Monte Poole of NBC Sports, the Golden State Warriors might be interested in the 34-year-old.
“He’s profoundly imperfect yet addresses most of the needs the Warriors will seek in someone to share minutes with Marquese Chriss, Kevon Looney and a dash of Draymond Green,” Poole wrote.
“If they like what they see and hear, and Howard passes the pertinent tests, the Warriors can address a need without breaking the bank,” he added.
Interesting development. https://t.co/7ODJIvjQTR
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 8, 2020
It is hard to argue with that logic.
Even though he is playing a career low 19 minutes per game, Howard is doing important work in that time. He averaged 7.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per outing this year, but his real contributions have come in the form of activity around the basket and the boost he has provided defensively.
Howard’s numbers have dipped a bit in the Finals due to the match-up issues the Miami Heat present. He is averaging just 3 points and 3.8 assists per outing, while playing a mere 13.6 minutes per game.
But again – that is strictly due to match-ups.
Against the Denver Nuggets, Howard was instrumental in slowing down Nikola Jokic and ultimately doing what the Los Angeles Clippers were unable to do just one round earlier.
Yikes Tyler Herro. https://t.co/LX84mxEocZ
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 7, 2020
Under the right circumstances he obviously has what it takes to be a contributor on a championship team.
Recently, Howard sat down for an interview with Shams Charania of The Athletic. During the conversation, he opened up about his mindset when he signed with Los Angeles this year.
“Just be Dwight,” he said.
“Be the best version of Dwight that I could possibly be, and not worry about what people may say and how they may feel about me. ‘He’s not in his prime. He’s not doing this like he used to.’
“The only thing that matters is winning. The only thing that matters is keeping my peace and keeping my happiness.”
The real NBA Finals MVP is clear. https://t.co/wrfWqxnUGg
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 8, 2020
Barring some sort of catastrophic collapse, the Lakers will win the championship this year. And once that happens, Howard’s value on the open market will skyrocket.
Will he end up with the Warriors? That remains to be seen. But he will definitely get a much more lucrative offer and far more attention this offseason than he did last.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
