Magic Legend Dwight Howard to Sign With Steph Curry, Warriors?
Orlando Magic legend Dwight Howard hasn't played in the NBA since the end of the 2021-22 season, but could potentially be making a return to the league by signing with a championship contender.
Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, Howard will visit the Golden State Warriors sometime next week in hopes that the two sides can come to an agreement on a contract.
"Eight-time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard will meet with the Golden State Warriors next week, sources tell The Athletic, Stadium," Charania tweeted Friday. "The team has been exploring signing a reserve veteran big man, and now the 2020 Lakers championship center will visit with Warriors officials soon.
The Warriors remain a major threat in the Western Conference, but lack depth in the frontcourt. Golden State traded center James Wiseman, the No. 2 overall pick in 2020, to the Detroit Pistons last season despite the original expectation that he'd be the big man of the future for the Warriors.
While Howard is well past his prime, he could be a solid addition to a Warriors team that will continue to rely on Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. As a result, Howard could find himself open on the block for easy dunks or lobs at the rim. Coming off the bench and pairing him with a play-making forward like Green sounds like a nice recipe for success on a Warriors team that's looking to make it back to the Finals after winning it all in 2022.
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 resumes on both ends of the floor.
During his eight seasons with the Magic, Howard averaged 18.4 points, 13 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.2 blocks in 621 games.