Author: Monojit Mandal
Former NBA player Dwight Howard, who plays in Taiwan, feels he can still contribute to most of the league’s clubs. Howard said in a recent interview with Complex’s Zion Olojede that he could be a useful contributor for 15 to 20 NBA teams. He specifically indicated an interest in playing for the Brooklyn Nets.
Although Howard recognizes that some clubs already have strong pivots, he feels he could be a reserve to consider. He believes he can offer the team 25 minutes of excellent basketball, and wants to end his career on a high by leaving the championship as a winner.
Howard had already thrived in Taiwan’s T1 League, where he was selected for the All-Star game after averaging 23.2 points and 5.0 assists in 20 games with the Taoyuan Leopards. During the 2021-22 season, he was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
When informed that clubs like the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets may have benefited from his presence last season, Howard expressed his desire to join the Nets. However, he came up against a series of obstacles that prevented the sale. He questioned the Nets’ intention to chase big guys with shooting skills, pointing out that they already had LaMarcus Aldridge and asked them to look at other possibilities. While he praises Nic Claxton’s performance, Howard feels that his experience puts him among the best in the league, even at this point in his career.
Howard has an extensive NBA career, spanning 18 seasons from 2004 to 2022, including eight memorable seasons with the Orlando Magic. He also played for the Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards and Philadelphia 76ers. Howard spent many seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won a championship in 2020.
According to rumors, Howard was unhappy with the projected 65% salary cut for his second season with the Taoyuan Leopards. This setback could put pressure on him to return to the NBA, where he feels he can still make a big impact.