Free agent center Dwight Howard meet with Warriors official next week, sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic (Link to Twitter).
As Anthony Slater writes in The Athletic (via Twitter), Golden State has brought in some veteran big men for workouts in recent weeks as the team casts a wide net in search of a player or two to fill out the roster. . Slater called Howard a “real option,” adding that the 37-year-old’s mindset during his meeting with Warriors brass could be a factor in determining whether the two sides move on.
Howard is an eight-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, but was out of the NBA last season after playing with the Lakers in 2021/22. He averaged 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game (60 appearances) for Los Angeles in ’21/22 before playing in Taiwan in ’22/23.
Howard’s 16.2 MPG in ’21/22 is a career low, but may be his ceiling going forward – at this stage in his career, he can’t be viewed as much more than a reserve in those situations. NBA team. If he’s willing to accept a limited role and perhaps a non-guaranteed contract, the former superstar should have a legitimate shot at returning to the NBA.
Dewayne Dedmon, Derrick Favorand Harry Giles is one of the other big men reportedly getting a look from the Warriors this summer (Giles has since signed with Brooklyn). The team is also said to be interested JaVale McGee before he joined the Kings.
Golden State currently carries 13 players on standard contracts. The club must have at least 14 by opening night.