Magic Legend Dwight Howard Eyes Orlando Return

Dwight Howard played with the Orlando Magic from 2004-12.

Jeremy Brener | May 11, 2024

Dec 11, 2019; Orlando, FL, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (39) works out prior to the / Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO — It's been over a decade since the Orlando Magic fulfilled Dwight Howard's trade request and sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers. But now, Superman wants to be back in central Florida.

"If I could go back with a team, I gotta go back with the Magic. It's only right," Howard said onThe OGs podcast.

Howard, 38, hasn't played in the NBA since the 2021-22 season with the Lakers, but he's stayed in shape by participating in basketball overseas.

It's unlikely for the Magic to bring Howard back into the fold 20 years after they drafted him with the No. 1 overall pick. While the Magic have two centers hitting free agency this offseason, Howard simply doesn't fit the timeline of the team. Orlando could use some veteran leadership, but it can find that without having to sign a player who hasn't been in the NBA in two years.

As full circle of a moment as it would be, Howard's chances of playing in a Magic uniform again are incredibly slim.

Related stories on the Orlando Magic:

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WELTMAN WILDLY IMPRESSED WITH PAOLO: Paolo Banchero’s growth in his second season helped guide the Orlando Magic to their best season since 2011 and first playoff appearance since 2020. CLICK HERE

MAGIC A FREE AGENCY DESTINATION: After making the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and earning the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, the Orlando Magic could make some noise. CLICK HERE

Published May 11, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.