With NBA training camps opening in only three weeks, former Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard still does not have a team.
It was clear that forward Howard was on the outs with Rob Pelinka and the rest of the Lakers' front staff after the signing of rookie free agent centers Thomas Bryant and Damian Jones this summer, according to a report from Fan Nation. Los Angeles has at least two open roster places, but it needs shooters more than a post-oriented aging big man, especially one who may be its third pure center.
While both were on the disastrous 33-49 Lakers last season, the 6'10" big man significantly outperformed fellow former All-Star big man DeAndre Jordan. After starting the season in the Lakers' starting five, Jordan was demoted to the bench by late December 2021 and eventually dismissed in February to take place on the roster for veteran point guard D.J. Augustin, who is also presently a free agent without a team.
Meanwhile, Howard kept chipping in as L.A.'s hopes of making the playoffs decreased due to the bad play of the team's relatively old squad and injuries to All-Star forward LeBron James and big man Anthony Davis.
HoopsHype revealed last month that despite rumors to the contrary, the Brooklyn Nets is not interested in signing free agent veteran Dwight Howard.
Still a Formidable Force
Howard was once regarded as one of the league's top big men. That era has passed, but the six-foot-ten Georgia native is still respected as a sturdy center despite the effects of time and height. In the recent season, he was putting up 6.2 points and 5.9 boards in 16.2 minutes a game.
When you consider Howard's eight All-Star seasons, though, you see that he was producing great numbers even then, according to The Cold Wire.
Each game, he contributed 19.4 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks during that period.
He shot 59% from the field and was named to the NBA All-Star team and First Team All-NBA eight times. He was also named to the NBA All-Defensive team five times and was named Defensive Player of the Year three times.
Howard has been an offensive and defensive juggernaut over his 18 years in the NBA, winning a championship and setting several records along the way.
While Howard likely won't reach those heights again, he is still an important piece for the Lakers or any other NBA team.
Howard To Join 'Special Forces'
Though he might not play in an NBA team, Howard may still have a substantial gig.
According to Rick Porter of the Hollywood Reporter, NBA veteran center Dwight Howard is one of 16 celebrities slated to appear in the upcoming Fox reality program Special Forces: The Ultimate Test, which will air in January per Bleacher Report.
The candidates will be subjected to extreme "military-style training" on the program, with tasks designed by real-life special forces units. The tournament will be managed by a group of ex-military operators, all of whom come in pairs.
Former athletes Danny Amendola, Gus Kenworthy, Nastia Liukin, Carli Lloyd, and Mike Piazza will join Howard. The remaining cast members include notable names from the worlds of reality television, film, music, and politics.
