Lakers Podcast: Breaking Down Dwight Howard’s Return To Los Angeles

Trevor Lane
2 Min Read
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers are on the verge of finding a replacement for the injured DeMarcus Cousins, and it’s a familiar face: Dwight Howard.

After leaving the Lakers in 2013 NBA free agency, can Howard really come full circle and be the answer in the middle?

On this episode of the Lakers Nation Podcast, host Trevor Lane is joined by Jas Kang as they discuss the news that Howard will be wearing purple and gold once again. Will Lakers fans really come around to cheering for him after so many years of resentment?

Plus, while Howard has reportedly said all of the right things to the Lakers about being a role player and doing whatever it takes to win a championship, can they really trust him when the going gets tough? Will he still compete hard on the defensive end, rebound, and do the little things when the offensive touches aren’t coming?

If not, the Lakers will have an easy out due to the way that Howard’s contract has been structured. Not only is it a minimum deal but it’s also non-guaranteed, which means that the Lakers can cut Howard if things aren’t working out and won’t be responsible for the remaining salary on his deal.

That said, the hope is that Howard and the Lakers will make a solid pairing this time around. The team is clearly in need of another center and Howard knows this is likely his final chance to prove that he can be a factor for an NBA team. Only time will tell if the gamble will pay off.

Trevor Lane is a longtime NBA and Los Angeles Lakers fan who had the good fortune to grow up during the glory days of the Showtime Lakers, when Magic Johnson, Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, and the rest ruled the Great Western Forum. He has written about basketball, soccer, fantasy sports, MMA, and even pro wrestling over the course of his career, but the spectacle that is the Lakers is his true passion. He made the leap into podcasting for Lakers Nation and provides voice-over analysis for our YouTube channel. With a who's who of stars gracing the Lakers lineup over the years, including Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Pau Gasol, and many others, the Lakers always provide plenty to talk about. When he isn't writing or recording, Trevor can be found spending time with his wife and daughter or on the sidelines for one of the youth teams he coaches. Outside of the Lakers, Trevor is a supporter of the LA Galaxy, US Soccer, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Contact: trevor@mediumlargela.com
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