Eight-time NBA All-Star a 'real option' for Warriors
The Golden State Warriors don't have a player who stands taller than 6-foot-9.
That could change soon.
Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, Golden State is scheduled to meet next week with eight-time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard, who played last season in Taiwan.
Even at 37 and possibly heading into his 19th season in the NBA, Howard offers something the Warriors haven't had since seven-footer JaVale McGee from 2016-18: significant height at center.
"Warriors have brought in a ton of veteran bigs for workouts the last several weeks," The Athletic's Anthony Slater wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Dwight Howard is [the] highest upside candidate on the non-guaranteed flyer front. Will depend on his mindset in meetings with team's decision makers/veterans. He's a real option."
If Howard can deliver short bursts of energy and efficient rim running, he could be a solid piece for Golden State's second unit. He could mesh in pick-and-roll scenarios with another NBA old-timer, 38-year-old point guard Chris Paul, who Golden State acquired in July.
Howard's last impactful NBA stint was with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2019-20 season. Averaging 18.9 minutes a game, he played a key role during the team's championship run.
Howard played two additional NBA seasons, in 2020-21 with the Philadelphia 76ers and 2021-22 with the Lakers again. With Los Angeles, he started 27 games — a role he certainly would not play for the Warriors.
Joining the Taoyuan Leopards in Taiwan last season, Howard averaged 23.2 points, 16.2 rebounds and five assists. In one game, he put up 38 points.
Howard is far from the All-Star he once was. If he's open to a limited role behind center Kevon Looney, however, new Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. should add him to the roster.
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