Upon joining the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, eight-time All-Star center Dwight Howard asked the team for a non-guaranteed contract. The word is that Howard wanted to prove his worth and show the commitment to the organization. Well, it seems like he did both.

According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Lakers will make Howard’s veteran’s minimum deal fully guaranteed, keeping the 34-year-old on the roster for the rest of the season.

This seems like a no-brainer, especially considering how Howard has been playing in 2019/20. He has been one of Lakers’ key contributors from the bench, averaging 7.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. He has also been a significant defensive presence, which greatly helped Lakers remain the top seed in the Western Conference.

Entering this season, Dwight Howard was considered to be a toxic locker room presence and tough player to play with. He was on three teams in three years, failing to adapt to the modern NBA and sacrifice some of his game for the greater good. Still, after Washington Wizards traded him to Memphis Grizzlies, who then released him, Howard knew he has to change his approach in order to remain in the league.

Lakers initially didn’t have an interest in Howard, but after DeMarcus Cousins’ injury, they decided to take a gamble. And, so far, it’s turned out to be a good decision.

The post Dwight Howard’s Deal With Lakers to Become Guaranteed appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After DeMarcus Cousins suffered a potentially season-ending injury, Los Angeles Lakers are forced to look for alternative solutions at the center position. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Lakers are set to work out former All-Star centers Dwight Howard and Joakim Noah.

Lakers invited Howard and Noah to come for individual workouts this week in Los Angeles, where they could also be joined by veteran Mo Speights. Another option that the team considers is former Washington Wizards’ player Marcin Gortat.

Howard, who was already a member of the Lakers back in 2012, is currently under contract with Memphis Grizzlies, but that reportedly shouldn’t be an issue. Grizzlies are willing to allow the 33-year-old to find another landing spot in NBA and join a contender despite the fact that his expiring deal might be a trade asset.

Noah is currently a free agent and is believed to be another enticing option for the Lakers. He spent the previous season with Memphis, averaging 7.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

Speights and Gortat, on the other hand, are not believed to have much chance of landing a roster spot, but Lakers want to have backup options.

With Cousins out, Lakers are now left only with JaVale McGee at the center position. They can also use Anthony Davis, but prefer that the 26-year-old All-Star spends the majority of his minutes as a power forward.

The post Lakers to Work Out Dwight Howard and Joakim Noah Among other Centers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After playing just nine games with the Washington Wizards this past season due to a back injury, Dwight Howard is hoping that he will bounce back next season and show he still has a place in NBA. And he wouldn’t mind doing that in Los Angeles.

Wizards traded Howard to Memphis Grizzlies this offseason, but he is expected to be waived soon as he doesn’t fit with the team’s inexperience and young roster. When asked by the Los Angeles Times about his next destination, the 33-year-old center said he is open to signing with Los Angeles Lakers or LA Clippers.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I do love L.A.,” – said Howard. “Staples Center is going to be rocking this season. When I played there, it was rocking every night.”

Howard already played in the Lakers’ jersey back in 2012/13 but his pairing with aging Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant didn’t end up well and he left the team after just one year. Despite the short and unsuccessful stint, however, the eight times All-Star thinks highly about Lakers.

“It just wasn’t the right fit for me at the time,” – he added. “But the Lakers have been doing something right for a long time because they have the most fans in the world and the most championships over the past 40 years. You’re not going to win a championship every year, but they’re back and will compete for a championship next season.”

After leaving the Lakers, Dwight Howard spent time with Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, and Charlotte Hornets. He never managed, however, to get back on the same level of play he had with Orlando Magic early in his career.

Howard’s NBA career averages include 17.4 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game.

The post Dwight Howard Would Consider Playing with Lakers or Clippers Next Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Upon joining the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, eight-time All-Star center Dwight Howard asked the team for a non-guaranteed contract. The word is that Howard wanted to prove his worth and show the commitment to the organization. Well, it seems like he did both.

According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Lakers will make Howard’s veteran’s minimum deal fully guaranteed, keeping the 34-year-old on the roster for the rest of the season.

This seems like a no-brainer, especially considering how Howard has been playing in 2019/20. He has been one of Lakers’ key contributors from the bench, averaging 7.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. He has also been a significant defensive presence, which greatly helped Lakers remain the top seed in the Western Conference.

Entering this season, Dwight Howard was considered to be a toxic locker room presence and tough player to play with. He was on three teams in three years, failing to adapt to the modern NBA and sacrifice some of his game for the greater good. Still, after Washington Wizards traded him to Memphis Grizzlies, who then released him, Howard knew he has to change his approach in order to remain in the league.

Lakers initially didn’t have an interest in Howard, but after DeMarcus Cousins’ injury, they decided to take a gamble. And, so far, it’s turned out to be a good decision.

The post Dwight Howard’s Deal With Lakers to Become Guaranteed appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After DeMarcus Cousins suffered a potentially season-ending injury, Los Angeles Lakers are forced to look for alternative solutions at the center position. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Lakers are set to work out former All-Star centers Dwight Howard and Joakim Noah.

Lakers invited Howard and Noah to come for individual workouts this week in Los Angeles, where they could also be joined by veteran Mo Speights. Another option that the team considers is former Washington Wizards’ player Marcin Gortat.

Howard, who was already a member of the Lakers back in 2012, is currently under contract with Memphis Grizzlies, but that reportedly shouldn’t be an issue. Grizzlies are willing to allow the 33-year-old to find another landing spot in NBA and join a contender despite the fact that his expiring deal might be a trade asset.

Noah is currently a free agent and is believed to be another enticing option for the Lakers. He spent the previous season with Memphis, averaging 7.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

Speights and Gortat, on the other hand, are not believed to have much chance of landing a roster spot, but Lakers want to have backup options.

With Cousins out, Lakers are now left only with JaVale McGee at the center position. They can also use Anthony Davis, but prefer that the 26-year-old All-Star spends the majority of his minutes as a power forward.

The post Lakers to Work Out Dwight Howard and Joakim Noah Among other Centers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After playing just nine games with the Washington Wizards this past season due to a back injury, Dwight Howard is hoping that he will bounce back next season and show he still has a place in NBA. And he wouldn’t mind doing that in Los Angeles.

Wizards traded Howard to Memphis Grizzlies this offseason, but he is expected to be waived soon as he doesn’t fit with the team’s inexperience and young roster. When asked by the Los Angeles Times about his next destination, the 33-year-old center said he is open to signing with Los Angeles Lakers or LA Clippers.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I do love L.A.,” – said Howard. “Staples Center is going to be rocking this season. When I played there, it was rocking every night.”

Howard already played in the Lakers’ jersey back in 2012/13 but his pairing with aging Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant didn’t end up well and he left the team after just one year. Despite the short and unsuccessful stint, however, the eight times All-Star thinks highly about Lakers.

“It just wasn’t the right fit for me at the time,” – he added. “But the Lakers have been doing something right for a long time because they have the most fans in the world and the most championships over the past 40 years. You’re not going to win a championship every year, but they’re back and will compete for a championship next season.”

After leaving the Lakers, Dwight Howard spent time with Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, and Charlotte Hornets. He never managed, however, to get back on the same level of play he had with Orlando Magic early in his career.

Howard’s NBA career averages include 17.4 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game.

The post Dwight Howard Would Consider Playing with Lakers or Clippers Next Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.