As the NBA inches closer into training camp and preseason, player-related news continue to enter the rumor mill. On Saturday, it was reported that veteran Dwight Howard is set to meet with the Golden State Warriors.
The veteran big man was not on any NBA roster this past season, and last played for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2021-22 campaign. He has been with the Taouyan Leopards of the T1 League in Taiwan since November 2022.
Howard, as you may know, has had a decorated NBA career. He was the first overall pick of the 2004 draft by the Orlando Magic, and helped turned the franchise into title contenders, highlighted by a finals appearance in 2009. He has bounced around the league over the last decade, but across his 18 seasons, he has racked up one championship and three Defensive Player of the Year awards, as well as eight All-Stars, eight All-NBAs, and five All-Defense selections.
But, of course, it’s about the now, and that now says that the former star is turning 38 years old in December and has become a journeyman back-up center, one who hopefully gives consistent reliever minutes by aiding the team in the interior area.
Low-risk, high-reward option?
Such a big-bodied, big man is what the Warriors need, who are coming off a tough season. They finished with an uninspiring 44-38 record on the year, including an ugly 11-30 slate on the road, and could only get the sixth seed in the playoffs, which further showed glaring holes as they were pushed to seven games by the young, mostly-playoff newbie Sacramento Kings in the first round before getting bounced by the Lakers in six in the West semis.
It was evident all throughout that center Kevon Looney, while mostly solid, isn’t enough anymore, and that the Dubs are lacking size. They were bullied in the paint by a variety of big man and guard attacks, and had nothing much to address it.
Howard, a proven rim protector and rebounder, will come in handy for that. He has transitioned into a role player during his past couple of stints, so while he can be outspoken in the locker room, there’s minimal concern about him getting disrupting the chemistry.
What makes him a potential low-riskm high-reward guy is the Warriors can most likely get him at a cheap price, given how he’s itching to get back in the league and will be salivating to join a championship contender like Golden State. His offensive rebounding, shot-blocking ability, and overall defense will create more opportunities for the team. He can still run nicely too, so he may be able to keep up in transition. Also, one of the team’s new additions, the ‘Point God’ himself Chris Paul, can easily make him look good on offense.
This will be an underrated storyline if it pushes through as the Warriors are possibly entering the last few stretches their run, and will be filled with guys well into their 30s, with Stephen Curry already 35 years old, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green both 33, and Paul and Howard each being 38. It’s an “old” core that you can believe, though, as they are battle-tested veterans that can provide from multiple facets of the game.
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