Lakers News: Dwight Howard Willing To Relieve Anthony Davis Of Big Man Woes

Anthony Davis is not particularly fond of playing the center position, a reason why the Los Angeles Lakers initially added DeMarcus Cousins. But with Boogie going down on an ACL injury, the purple and gold ended up settling for Dwight Howard.

As most know, it was not one of the popular of decisions that the Lakers ever made. Some remember how the three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year abandoned them back in 2013. Further, the former top pick of the 2004 NBA Draft has been struggling with injuries and has somehow fallen off the elite names the league has right now.

Regardless, Howard is taking everything in stride. He knows he is playing on a non-guaranteed deal. All he cares about is helping the Lakers for the 2019-20 season and hopefully win an NBA title. He is aware that his main job is to fill up the middle - a role Davis is not exactly fond of.

First-year head coach Frank Vogel said in an interview with NBA.com that Davis could be playing some center in the regular season and more in the postseason. A lot of this has to do with preserving the 26-year-old for their playoff run and hopefully snag an NBA title.

This is seen as one of the reasons why the Lakers took in Howard. He is a veteran of banging it inside with opposing team centers the past years. In short, it is something he has enjoyed so he has no problem with the role asked from him. The eight-time NBA All-Star allegedly told Davis he had no problem playing the five when he spoke to Sham Charania of Stadium.

“I’ve been doing it my whole life. I’ve played against some of the biggest centers: Shaq, Yao Ming, Jermaine O’Neal, Mutombo, Embiid, all these guys I’ve played against, you know, and I enjoy, you know, playing defense. So, I have no problem with that,” said Howard.

For the coming season, Howard is projected to come off the bench. A returning JaVale McGee will likely get the starting center nod although this is subject to change. It all depends on what Vogel feels is best for the Lakers. A lot of that should come into full circle at the Lakers training camp.