The Los Angeles Lakers still have a huge hole in their frontcourt after their trade for Mark Williams fell through, but Brian Windhorst does not agree with Stephen A. Smith’s suggestion for how to fill it.
During Tuesday morning’s edition of “First Take” on ESPN, Smith wondered why the Lakers would not consider bringing back Dwight Howard if they need a big body so badly. Smith noted that Howard is always in excellent shape.
“I haven’t seen him in a couple of years. I don’t know how he’s looking, but I’m finding it hard to believe … all you need is somebody to defend and rebound. Why not look at a Dwight Howard?” Smith asked. “Why not look at somebody off the scrap heap? He’s always in shape. He never looks out of shape at all.”
Windhorst found that idea preposterous and did nothing to hide his disbelief.
“DeMarcus Cousins is playing in Mongolia. Why don’t you call him? I’m serious. He’s literally playing in Mongolia. Dwight Howard’s going into the Hall of Fame because he’s been retired for so long. His last time he played was in Taiwan. Are you being serious?” Windhorst replied.
Windhorst then joked that Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a free agent as well. The reporter’s reaction throughout the whole discussion was priceless:
We know Howard agrees with Smith. The 39-year-old already pitched his services to the Lakers last month when Anthony Davis spoke about how the team needed a true center. Davis has since been traded as part of the Luka Doncic blockbuster, so the Lakers are even smaller now.
Howard has not played in the NBA since he was last with the Lakers during the 2021-22 season. He had a successful stint in Taiwan’s T1 League after that, but there is a reason he has not found work in the NBA.
Though he is an eight-time All-Star, Howard has not been an impact player in years. There may not be much out there for the Lakers, but Windhorst believes they can do a lot better than their former center.
