NBA Rumors: Could the Thunder sign an 8x All-Star to replace Holmgren?

Less than 15 games into the regular season and the Oklahoma City Thunder have already been bitten by the injury bug. They are without centers Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, with Hartenstein possibly out for three more weeks while Holmgren could be out for up to three months with a hip injury.

Without their big men, they have been forced to play small, with the next biggest player on their roster being Ousmane Dieng, who isn't a traditional big man. They could potentially sign a stop-gap center option until Hartenstein is ready to make his season debut and if an eight-time all-star and borderline Hall of Famer has his way, they would sign him.

Recently, Dwight Howard appeared on the All the Smoke podcast to talk with Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett and Howard was made aware of the Thunder's injury situation. Howard then openly lobbied for the Thunder to sign him ASAP and even promised to help bring a championship to Oklahoma City.

Should the Oklahoma City Thunder consider signing Dwight Howard?

Howard hasn't played an NBA game in three seasons but has seemingly been clamoring to get back into the league. He last played for the Los Angeles Lakers before leaving and playing internationally in China. To his credit, he has put up big numbers there even as he nears 40.

Then again, so do many former NBA stars who take their talents there. With the Thunder in serious need of more size, taking a flyer on a former three-time Defensive Player of the Year may not be that crazy. He did play well even into his mid to late 30s in the NBA.

More likely, however, the Thunder will probably go in another direction. Howard is 39 years old and even if he can still play, he hasn't played in the NBA in several years. After all, why sign an aging center who has been away from the NBA when they could sign a much younger big man who has recent experience?

If not Dwight Howard, then who should the Thunder sign?

One potential option is veteran Journeyman center Bismack Biyombo, who last played for the Thunder last season. He isn't a good offensive player but he is known as a strong rim protector and rebounder who could come in and play 20 minutes.

Playing him big minutes probably isn't a good idea but starting him at the five and front-loading his minutes so he would spend most of his time guarding other starting centers would be a reasonable idea. It wouldn't be forever with Hartenstein expected to be back in early December but given the Thunders' lack of size, he might be a better signing than Howard.