Dwight Howard eying NHA comeback, likes the Sacramento Kings
Dwight Howard, the former center for the Los Angeles Lakers, emerged as the dominant big man of his era in the NBA. He achieved great heights during his career, winning three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year Awards from 2009 to 2011 and earning the prestigious titles of eight-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA First Team selection.
In addition to his earlier successes, Howard also made a remarkable late career run when he played a crucial role in the Los Angeles Lakers' triumphant journey to the 2020 NBA Championship. However, despite his contributions, Howard found himself without a team contract during the last offseason. As a result, he made a surprising move by joining the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League in Taiwan.
Despite the prevailing perception that Dwight Howard's NBA career has come to an end, he holds a contrasting belief and has a specific team in mind that he believes he can make a valuable contribution to. In a recent interview with Mark Haynes of the Sacramento Observer, Howard expressed his desire to assist the Sacramento Kings in their pursuit of a championship, stating that he would love the opportunity to be a part of their journey.
Howard stated, “I’m not retired from the NBA just yet. I would love to help the Sacramento Kings contend for a title. Even though I believe their team is pretty much set.”
The Sacramento Kings emerged as one of the most surprising stories of the NBA season, securing their first playoff appearance in 17 years. Led by the dynamic All-Star duo of De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, the team showcased their potential. Coach Mike Brown was recognized with the Coach of the Year award, further highlighting the Kings' promising future in the league.
Interestingly, Dwight Howard could be a strong addition to the Kings roster, particularly due to their struggles against taller opponents and rebounding challenges, evident in their first-round playoff exit against the Golden State Warriors. In Game 7 of that series, the Kings surrendered 18 offensive rebounds, with Kevon Looney accounting for 10 of them.
While Howard may not be a regular starter for the Kings, his size and physicality could prove instrumental in certain matchups. He has remained prepared for another opportunity and has demonstrated his prowess in Taiwan, where he has been a dominant force, averaging 23.2 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 20 overseas games.