Magic Legend Dwight Howard Not Signing with Warriors: Details

Former Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard has been connected to the Golden State Warriors in recent free agency rumors.

Despite previous speculation, Orlando Magic legend Dwight Howard will not sign with the Golden State Warriors after all, per reports Friday from NBA insider Shams Charania.

"The Warriors are not expected to sign Dwight Howard or another veteran center ahead of training camp, sources tell me," Charania said in a video on X. "Howard had a two-day visit with the Warriors this week that included meetings and workouts, but the Warriors are expected now to maintain flexibility to sign a potential big man later in camp or into the regular season.

Charania didn't rule out a potential return to the NBA in a matter of days for Howard, who hasn't played in the league since the end of the 2021-22 season.

"Expect Howard to discuss a potential return to the league with any other interested team in the coming week or so," Charania said.

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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.

With or without Howard, 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've been a solid addition to a Warriors team that will continue to rely on Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. As a result, Howard might have found 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 seemed 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.

But instead, Howard now will look to close out his Hall of Fame career elsewhere this upcoming season.

As for the Magic, it begins the regular season at home on Wednesday, Oct. 25 against the Houston Rockets.