[brid autoplay=”true” video=”816273″ player=”23231″ title=”Top%20NBA%20free%20agents%20of%202021″ duration=”53″ description=”Unlike last offseason, we’re going to see a ton of top end NBA free agents in 2021. Players like future Hall of Famers Kawhi Leonard and Chris Paul will likely opt out of their contracts and hit the open market.Meanwhile, there’s a large amount of talented youngsters set to become restricted free agents. That list includes Atlanta Hawks big man John Collins and Lonzo Ball of the New Orleans Pelicans.” uploaddate=”2021-06-29″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/816273_t_1624987441.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/816273.mp4″]
Dwight Howard is now headed back to the Los Angeles Lakers for his third stint with the organization. After a one-year hiatus to play with the Philadelphia 76ers, the 35-year-old Howard has opted to return to Southern California.
The eight-time All-Star surprisingly left Los Angeles after helping the team earn the NBA Title back in 2020. He responded by averaging 7.0 points and 8.4 rebounds in a mere 17.3 minutes of action for Philadelphia last season.
While Dwight Howard is no longer the player we saw during his heyday from 2006-14, he can still contribute to the success of a contending team.
For the Lakers, this move comes after they signed fellow veterans Wayne Ellington and Trevor Ariza to open free agency. Prior to that, the 2020 champions acquired Russell Westbrook in a blockbuster trade with the Washington Wizards.
It’s now becoming increasingly clear that veteran players want to join LeBron James in Southern California. The Dwight Howard news adds another layer to this.