Dwight Howard had three different stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, and each had a distinct narrative.
His first, which came during the 2012-13 season, was ill-fated and ended with a first-round sweep at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs. He left the following summer in free agency amidst accusations that he was selfish and a prima donna.
Howard returned for the 2019-20 season, and although many were skeptical, the eight-time All-Star embraced a lesser role off the bench and helped L.A. win the NBA championship.
Last season, the team brought the big man back for one final season, but it was clear his best days were behind him.
Howard spent this season playing pro basketball in Taiwan, but he isn’t convinced his NBA days are behind him. In fact, he says he wants to return to the league this fall and play for the Sacramento Kings.
Exclusive @SacObserver interview with Dwight Howard on possibly returning to the NBA next season:
“I’m not retired from the NBA just yet, and I would love to help the Sacramento Kings contend for a title.”https://t.co/rgycH2UIIk
— Mark Haynes (@markhaynesnba) June 6, 2023
Via Sacramento Observer:
“I’m not retired from the NBA just yet,” Howard told The Observer. “I would love to help the Sacramento Kings contend for a title. Even though I believe their team is pretty much set.”
Coming into this season, many weren’t expecting much from the Kings. But they finished with the third-best record in the Western Conference and made the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
They did so with a high-octane, fairly egalitarian offense that produced 120.7 points per game in the regular season, one of the highest scoring averages in league history. Howard was impressed with the unselfishness and team play of Sacramento.
“The thing that stood out most this year was the contracts that players signed accepting their roles and actually sticking with it no matter what,” Howard explained.
The Kings are coached by Mike Brown, who was the Lakers’ head coach for the first five games of the 2012-13 campaign, Howard’s first year with them.
