The Los Angeles Lakers needed to add a center following DeMarcus Cousins’ ACL injury a few weeks ago, and they had workouts with Dwight Howard, Joakim Noah, and Marreese Speights before signing Howard.
There were some concerns about bringing Howard back to Los Angeles because of the negative locker room reputation he seems to have built over the years. The Lakers didn’t want him disrupting their chemistry, and that’s why they gave him a non-guaranteed deal.
However, head coach Frank Vogel believes that Howard can fill the void as it is essentially the role that Tyson Chandler played last year. “We feel really good about where he’s at as a person,” Vogel said. He’s gonna serve a different role. It’s gonna be more of a role player type of role as opposed to being the lead & he understands that.”
“We feel really good about where he’s at as a person. He’s (@DwightHoward) gonna serve a different role. It’s gonna be more of a role player type of role as opposed to being the lead & he understands that.”
Frank Vogel on Access Sportsnet 📺
📺: @SpectrumSN | #Lakeshow pic.twitter.com/zED7JHagDh
— CAN’T BEAT LA (@CantBeatLA_) August 30, 2019
Howard had numerous injuries during his career but came into the meeting with the Lakers in great shape, showing that his back is fully healthy even though it ended his 2017-18 campaign. Adrian Wojnarowski said Dwight hit rock bottom and has been humbled by the last few seasons. The Lakers were well aware of it, but they wanted to see Howard put it together on the floor.
Dwight Howard's deal with the Lakers will be non-guaranteed, league source tells ESPN. Howard had several meetings with Lakers officials, and they'll give him a chance to show he's made changes in how he conducts himself. Lakers players were involved in process.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 23, 2019
Unlike his previous stint with the Lakers in 2012-2013 when Howard was a leading player alongside Kobe Bryant, he will have a whole different role this time around. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Kyle Kuzma are expected to lead the team to the playoffs while Howard will be asked to do what he does best – rebound and protect the paint.
Although he isn’t the offensive player or playmaker that DeMarcus Cousins is, he will provide sturdy defense and a lot of rebounds on both ends of the court. It is understandable why Vogel is backing Howard to succeed. If Howard turns out to be a changed player, the Lakers will get the solid front court help they need to make a title run.
