The Golden State Warriors engaged in a very public review of Dwight Howard last week for one of the team’s remaining roster spots.
When it was all said and done, the front office opted to pass on the future Hall of Famer.
Theories regarding why precisely the Warriors opted not to sign Howard went viral in the aftermath. Some believed his personal issues with Chris Paul were to blame. The pair have been beefing for years, after all.
This week team GM Mike Dunleavy appeared on The Athletic’s NBA Show and offered some clarity on the situation.
“I think looking at it going into training camp right now, we have five guys who can give us minutes at the five position,” Dunleavy said, suggesting that there simply wasn’t enough room to give Howard consistent minutes.
Presently, Golden State has Kevon Looney, Draymond Green, Dario Saric, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Usman Garuba – all of whom could get minutes at the five.
It is easy to see why the front office deemed signing Howard as something that was more trouble than it’s worth if they are looking at things from that perspective.
Of course, the flip side to that coin is that none of the players listed are taller than 6-foot-10. Howard isn’t a seven-footer, but he would have been as close as the Warriors will likely come to having one any time soon.
Will Stephen Curry and Co. regret not picking Howard up when everything is said and done? One way or another, an answer will reveal itself this coming season.
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