NBA Rumors: Lakers Still Finding The Perfect Role For Dwight Howard

The Los Angeles Lakers are still finding the perfect role for Dwight Howard.

Prior to officially reuniting with the Lakers, Howard addressed some issues pertaining to his off-court struggles in the past. According to Howard, he has learned how to deal with criticisms and among the array of NBA teams he has played for, he mostly enjoyed the time he spent with LA.

Despite the conflicts he had with Lakers icon Kobe Bryant seven years ago, Howard now has the chance to prove that he’s a much better player, more specifically, a much better Laker. However, the team is reportedly still finding the best assignment for the 8-time All Star.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Lakers players were involved in allocating the task for Howard. In one of the recent team meetings, Charania unveiled that one of the most notable questions asked was “can Howard guard the likes of Joel Embiid.”

“One of the questions that Lakers players asked Dwight Howard in their meeting was ‘can we trust you to guard the likes of Joel Embiid and other top centers in one-on-one matchups? Can we trust you to embrace your role?’ And Howard was convincing in his answers to everything. He just wants a chance to redeem himself as a Laker, and be one of the role players that supports [ LeBron James and Anthony Davis ] in winning a potential NBA Championship,” Charania said.

Based on how things are going lately with the Lakers, it appears that what the Lakers want Howard to do will likely largely revolve around rebounding, blocking or contesting shots, catching occasionally receive lobs and drop passes and bodying the likes of Embiid for 10-20 minutes a night. All told, it will definitely allow Davis to focus more on offense and take more shots.

A few days ago, Charania also noted that Howard is willing to play “as much minutes as needed” but he will have to compete with current Lakers starting center JaVale McGee for the starting center position.

“According to multiple witnesses to Howard’s workouts this summer, he appears fully athletic and healthy. For the first time in years, Howard seems fully motivated and fully healthy. He will compete with McGee for the starting center job, and he explained to the Lakers that he’s ready to play as many minutes as needed and be a piece to help James and Davis,” Charania wrote.

Despite only playing nine games last season, Howard was able to put up solid numbers. In those nine games with the Washington Wizards, he averaged 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.

McGee, on the other hand averaged 12.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last season. However, McGee was able to deliver the said numbers in 75 games.