Veteran center Dwight Howard is reportedly eyeing a sensational return to the NBA—and he has his sights set on a familiar home: the Los Angeles Lakers.
According to sources close to the situation, the former three-time Defensive Player of the Year has expressed a strong desire to make one final run in the league, ideally with the Lakers, where he won an NBA Championship in 2020 during the league’s bubble season.
“I can provide 25 minutes of dominant basketball,” Howard reportedly said. “I want to go out like a champ.”
The 38-year-old big man, who has been playing internationally and staying in shape since his last NBA stint, believes he still has plenty to offer a contending team. He specifically mentioned the Lakers and Miami Heat as franchises with championship aspirations that could benefit from his experience, energy, and physical presence in the paint.
Howard’s last appearance in the NBA came during the 2021-22 season with the Lakers, where he averaged 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds in just under 17 minutes per game. Though his role has diminished in recent years, his leadership, rebounding, and shot-blocking could provide valuable depth for any playoff-bound roster.
With the Lakers looking to build around stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis while managing their minutes, a veteran presence like Howard—who understands the team’s system and culture—could be a low-risk, high-reward addition.
Whether the Lakers take the leap to reunite with their former big man remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Dwight Howard is not ready to hang up his sneakers just yet.
