Former Lakers star urges owners to comeback: “One more chance”

Former Los Angeles Lakers star Dwight Howard recently expressed his desire to rejoin the franchise for the 2024-25 NBA season.

Dwight Howard is asking Lakers owner Jeannie Buss to re-sign him

Howard won a title with the Lakers in 2020 and was a crucial piece of their championship puzzle. He revitalized his career after years of playing on underperforming teams and battling stereotypes about his game.

The eight-time All-Star has been playing in China since 2022, but that has only allowed him to keep his new and improved condition in shape in the NBA game, and he believes he is capable of parlaying his strength into the best basketball league to test the world again while furthering the Lakers' current NBA Finals aspirations.

According to Lakers All Day Everyday on

“I’m fit for basketball, so Jeanie is giving me another chance,” Howard said.

Could Dwight Howard fill the Lakers' need for help at center?

Los Angeles currently has a glaring need for help at the center position. The plan is to start Anthony Davis at the five next season, but he remains steadfast in his stance of wanting to play power forward with a natural center alongside him in most cases.

The Lakers also have real centers on their bench with Jaxson Hayes and Christian Koloko as well as the flexible big man Christian Wood who can take on these tasks. But adding a player like Howard who knows his system might not be a bad idea.

When he last appeared in the Association in 2021-22 – his third and final appearance in LA – the three-time Defensive Player of the Year averaged 6.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game on shooting of 61.2 percent from the field in 16.2 minutes of nighttime action. His 36-minute numbers showed a player averaging 13.8 PPG, 13.2 RPG and 1.3 BPG.

Howard's days as a consistent double-double threat are probably far behind him, but given his experience, fitness and drive to get back into the league, expect him to match the productivity of his last NBA season next NBA season -Season can be linked to time outside of the given opportunity.

While a deal may not happen, the 38-year-old's name has been making the rounds in offseason free agency rumors and could be a low-cost option for the Lakers to save for a rainy day or moving into their second Ingratiating Unity Should young talents like Hayes and Koloko need more time to refine their games?