5 teams that should jump at the chance to sign free agent Dwight Howard

5. Portland acquires much-needed frontcourt athleticism via Dwight Howard.

Completing the list is a team that’s farther from title contention than the rest, and in turn, probably needs someone like Howard even more intensely. Currently, the Portland Trail Blazers are set to run with Drew Eubanks and Trendon Watford as their backup centers — likely competing with each other for minutes in training camp following their moderate success in a tanking 2021-22 season.

If the Blazers are serious about getting back into the Playoff conversation, they’d hugely benefit from bringing Dwight Howard off the bench. He’d immediately become the best rim protector and lob threat on the team, giving head coach Chauncey Billups a chance to diversify his playcalling when the starter, Jusuf Nurkic goes to the bench for rest. Nurkic, while skilled and strong, doesn’t necessarily impress with his athleticism. Howard would help to balance that out for Portland.

Howard’s 1.8 blocks per 100 possessions last season were higher than any returning player for the Blazers besides Greg Brown III, who is competing to be the third-string power forward.

Dwight Howard offers veteran know-how and experience playing with other star guards that would serve him well on a team run through Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons.