Dwight Howard is going to be on a new team again this offseason. We provide five potential destinations for the former Defensive Player of the Year.
Dwight Howard‘s 12.5 rebounds per game ranked third among all centers last year, while his 16.6 points per game ranked sixth. Howard also had the fourth-most double-doubles in the league, ahead of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Despite all this, Howard is going to be looking for his fifth team since forcing his way out of Orlando in 2012. As reported by ESPN‘s Chris Haynes, Howard — who was recently traded from the Charlotte Hornets to the Brooklyn Nets — will be bought out by his new team. This would allow him to become a free agent this summer and sign with virtually any team, while still getting paid by the Nets.
Howard is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, winning the award three straight years when he was still with the Orlando Magic. Howard is also an eight-time All-Star, a four-time All-Defensive First Team member, and is the active leader in blocks (2,047). Despite all of the accolades, Howard has been traded twice in the past two seasons; both times on the same day. What gives?
For starters, Dwight Howard doesn’t shoot the 3-ball.
Howard joined the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2012-13 season, and from that season until present day, Howard has attempted 30 3-pointers, making five of them. If those were his numbers from this past season for His Airness’ team, then that would be one thing. Unfortunately for Howard, he has been unable to adapt to the 3-point revolution that has taken over the league, (coincidentally) one that started right after Howard left the franchise where he’s experienced the most success.
Howard is without a doubt a traditional center. He does not shoot 3s. He spent 99 percent of his minutes last season as a center. He’s not a playmaker, as evidenced by his career 1.5 assists per game average. So where does that leave him?
Some will look at Howard, and think that he’s a square block trying to fit in a round hole league. Others think he should have retired years ago. ESPN‘s Stephen A. Smith offered his take:
.@stephenasmith thinks the better part of Dwight Howard's career is in his rearview mirror. pic.twitter.com/9CVOqQO2BL
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 20, 2018
None of those opinions are necessarily true, but a player of Howard’s caliber deserves another shot. Here are five teams (and a few honorable mentions) that should be willing to pull the trigger following his buyout.