Free agent center Dwight Howard has expressed interest in joining the LA Clippers, but is the former All-Star worth it for the team?
The LA Clippers are in need of another center on the roster. That’s a fact. Free agent center Dwight Howard has expressed interest in joining the team. That’s also a fact. But does the former All-Star, now turned journeyman fit with the roster? Let’s take a look.
Last season, Howard only appeared in nine games for the Washington Wizards as he could not recover from a back injury. In those nine games though, he was fairly productive putting up 12.8 points on 62.3% shooting. He also managed to pull down 9.2 rebounds.
In 2018 with Charlotte, he was even more effective. He scored 16.6 points on 55.5% shooting, grabbed 12.5 rebounds and was effective protecting the rim, swatting 1.6 blocks per game.
These stats aren’t bad. They obviously are down from his prime days, but Howard has been effective. As a member of a loaded Clippers offense, he could thrive. He fills a couple of gaps that the team needs, mainly rebounding and rim protection.
On a minimum contract, Dwight makes sense from a basketball perspective. This is, of course, assuming that the Memphis Grizzlies waive him. Health and locker room presence are a whole other story though.
Howard has been relatively healthy during his career, but a back injury is something that raises red flags. There’s also the fact that by playing in only nine games last season, it’s reasonable to expect that he is not in game shape. For a player who will turn 34 in December, it will be tough to get back there.
The locker room issues though, are even more concerning. Take a look at a few headlines from Howard’s recent stops:
- Hawks Players Reportedly ‘Screamed in Jubilation’ After Dwight Howard Was Traded
- Here’s why the Charlotte Hornets were so desperate to get rid of Dwight Howard
- Dwight Howard’s Endless Spiral Continues Anew in Brooklyn
- Wizards, Dwight Howard downplay character concerns and locker room risks
Okay, so the last one isn’t that bad. But still, they acknowledge that it’s a real problem that has followed Howard over the years. What’s the saying? A zebra can’t change it’s stripes.
With as tight knit as the Clippers’ locker room was last season, why add the possibility of issues? With how much Kawhi seems to like being low-key, why add it?
Howard makes sense purely from a basketball perspective, but not from a team one. For now, Ivica Zubac and Mfiondu Kabengele can handle the duties. There will be other centers available later in the year once the buyout market hits, so why not wait until then