Magic Legend Dwight Howard: 'I Would Retire With Orlando'

Orlando Magic legend Dwight Howard hasn't ruled out a return to the team that drafted him No. 1 in 2004.

Jeremy Brener | Aug 28, 2023

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard hasn't played in the City Beautiful in over a decade, but that could change soon.

Howard took to TikTok on Sunday, posting a video that revealed that he would want to retire with the Magic.

Howard was one of several former Magic players to visit Orlando this past weekend to support former coach Stan Van Gundy after his wife Kim passed away at the age of 61.

"Took a trip down to Orlando to support Stan," Howard said in his TikTok caption. "And meeting up with my old teammates got me emotiobal [sic]. Having a chance to go back where it all started was so amazing. I really missed this beautiful city. I appreciate all the amazing moments that make this my home, despite the miscommunication or trials we've been through. I am grateful for my lessons and what they have taught me. And I value them. Orlando I value you. I value the moments we had good and bad. Wins and losses. The s*** was still the best. Blue and white will always ignite."

Howard, the No. 1 overall pick in 2004, went to eight consecutive All-Star games in Orlando and has built one of the most impressive statistical resumés on both ends of the floor.

Van Gundy coached Howard from 2007-12 in Orlando, and while the pair had a questionable relationship ... especially at the end of his Magic tenure, it's clear that the respect is still there.

Since leaving the Magic, Howard has played for six different teams, including three one-year stints with the Los Angeles Lakers. Now that he's a journeyman, it's often easy to forget about how good "Superman" was when he played for the Magic.

This past season, Howard played in Taiwan with the Taoyuan Leopards.

At 37 years old, Howard doesn't have much basketball left in his career. But if he is open to returning to the NBA, the Magic may call him back home.

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Published Aug 28, 2023

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.