Dwight Howard To Meet With Warriors Next Week

Dwight Howard hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2021-22 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, but now the 6-foot-10 center is expected to meet with the Golden State Warriors next week.

“The team has been exploring signing a reserve veteran big man, and now the 2020 Lakers championship center will visit with Warriors officials soon,” reported Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.

Howard, 37, has played for the TaiwanBeer Leopards of the T1 League since 2022. Over his 18-year NBA career, the Georgia native received eight All-Star selections (2007-14) and won NBA Defensive Player of the Year three times (2009-11).

According to multiple NBA betting sites, the Golden State Warriors hold seventh-shortest odds to win next season’s 2024 championship. Check out which sportsbooks are showing better odds for the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Eight-time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard will meet with the Golden State Warriors next week, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The team has been exploring signing a reserve veteran big man, and now the 2020 Lakers championship center will visit with Warriors officials soon.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 15, 2023

Dwight Howard was selected No. 1 overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2004 NBA Draft out of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. The young standout decided to forego his NCAA career and pursue the professional level.

NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett, Howard’s idol, did the same in 1995. As a result, the Magic selected Howard first overall over UConn junior Emeka Okafor, who also had a successful rookie season.

Howard played his first eight seasons (2004-12) with the Magic. In 78 starts with Orlando of the 2010-11 season, the center averaged a career-high 22.9 points per game, along with 14.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks.

Former Orlando Magic star center Dwight Howard will meet with the Golden State Warriors next week to discuss a potential contract

Of course, in 54 appearances with the Magic of the 2011-12 season, Howard logged 20.6 points, a career-high 14.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 57.3% from the field.

In August 2012, Orlando traded him to the Lakers. However, he left L.A. following the 2012-13 season.

Additionally, Howard went on to play for the Houston Rockets (2013-16), Atlanta Hawks (2016-17 season), Charlotte Hornets (2017-18 season), and Washington Wizards (2018-19 season).

The big man would play two more seasons with the Lakers in 2019-20 and 2021-22. Before his final stint with L.A., Howard signed with the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2020-21 season.

Source:Dwight Howard will arrive in the Bay on Monday. He will workout on Tuesday & Wednesday. Also has meetings with Kerr & Dunleavy.

Steve is most interested in Dwight’s mindset, acceptance of a role, and desire to be a good vet for the young guys. Meetings will be important.

— Jason Dumas (@JDumasReports) September 15, 2023

In 1,242 career games, Howard averaged 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 31.8 minutes per game. Plus, he shot 58.7% from the floor and 56.7% at the foul line.

The former Laker also received eight All-NBA honors (First Team: 2008-12; Second Team: 2014; Third Team: 2007, 2013). Also, he led the league in rebounds five times (2008-10, 2012, 2013) and blocks twice (2009, 2010).

Howard’s T1 League professional career (2022-23 season)