Former NBA center Dwight Howard Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Three-time Defensive Player of the Year eyeing NBA comeback

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 5/24/23

Dwight Howard has had a blast recapturing his dominant form with the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League. He has even gone so far as to try to recruit LeBron James and other NBA superstars to join him overseas and get in on the action. Despite Howard enjoying life in Taiwan, the itch to return to the NBA remains as prevalent as ever for the eight-time All-Star, though.

"I do enjoy playing international basketball, just the experience is one of a kind. It's a different type of grind than being in the NBA, and I had a chance to experience it," Howard told Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium on FanDuelTV on Wednesday. "But I would love to finish off my career with an NBA team, hopefully win an NBA championship."

“I would love to finish off my career with an NBA team, hopefully win an NBA championship”@DwightHoward says he would love to come back to the #NBA #RunItBack with @ShamsCharania @MichelleDBeadle @ChandlerParsons & @bansky pic.twitter.com/X0KEzROypE
— FanDuel TV (@FanDuelTV) May 24, 2023

Howard, 37, has not suited up for an NBA team since the 2021-22 season, when he appeared in 60 games (27 starts) for the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging career lows in points (6.2), rebounds (5.9) and field goal attempts (3.7). Howard earned his lone NBA title in 2020, also as a member of the Lakers, chipping in with an average of 5.8 points and 4.6 rebounds in 18 postseason games.

The No. 1 overall selection by the Orlando Magic in the 2004 draft, Howard has put up prolific numbers with the Leopards. Averaging 23.2 points and a league-high 16.2 rebounds, the big man commonly referred to as "Superman," was named the league's Most Valuable Import.

The odds of those numbers transitioning onto the NBA hardwood are slim to none. But could Howard still serve as an extra body for a playoff contender looking for a few minutes per game? Never say never in a league where DeAndre Jordan continues to lock down a roster spot with the Western Conference champion Denver Nuggets.

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