Dwight Howard Reveals How The Lakers Can Keep Him

Veteran Dwight Howard had a big role with the Los Angeles Lakers this past season. His second stint with the team was more than successful. Howard overcame some of his obstacles and reinvented himself. Los Angeles won the 2020 NBA championship and Howard was part of the winning squad.

Howard will become a free agent, and he is more than ready to re-sign with the Lakers.

Before the 2019-20 season, the veteran had a hard time finding a home in the NBA. He was coming off a season cut short due to a bad back injury. The Washington Wizards decided to trade Howard to the Memphis Grizzlies. But, the team cut him right after the trade. DeMarcus Cousins tore his ACL, opening a spot for Howard.

Howard joined the Lakers through a non-guaranteed, $2.5 million deal. Getting him was one of the best decisions LA made in 2019. The All-Star had a big role off the bench as a defensive player in the paint. He also had a key role with his rebounding and interior scoring.

Dwight Howard was successful with the Lakers

The big man has had a role off the bench and his minutes went up and down all the time. His play was important at some point of the playoffs, and he was amazing in the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets. Nikola Jokic couldn’t move during the game.

Howard may return to the Lakers because he had a good role in the frontcourt. In his interview with former NBA big man Etan Thomas, Howard said he would love to stay in Los Angeles.

“I would love to come back and play for the Lakers again,” the big man said. “Hopefully, this year, they give me a contract; that’s the biggest thing. I don’t want to play for free anymore. This year, it was like, ‘OK, I’ll do whatever.’ But I think I’ve earned… a contract.”

Dwight Howard on FA: "I would love to come back and play for the Lakers again. Hopefully, this year, they give me a contract; that's the biggest thing. I don't want to play for free anymore. This year, it was like, 'OK, I'll do whatever.' But I think I've earned… a contract." pic.twitter.com/DuzNqg6EQi

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) November 18, 2020

Howard may get more than $2.5 million this season. This brings him closer to $10 million annually. Is Los Angeles ready to give him that much? The Lakers have nice financial flexibility at the moment. Avery Bradley will probably decline his $5 million next season. Rajon Rondo is expected to decline his $2.9 million option.