The Los Angeles Lakers want to bring back Dwight Howard, but that doesn't mean the center wants to return and with the Golden State Warriors looking like a possible destination, could Lakers great Jerry West be something that helps Howard decide?
It was a tough season for Howard and the Lakers as they dealt with Kobe Bryant's injury and the team also had some internal issues. Howard could end up back with the Lakers, but after the way it went it will be hard for him to return with all that negative energy and after doing his whole dance with the Magic all that time last year, he may want a clean break and a fresh start with a new team. He had some problems with Mike D'Antoni and the early part of the season was a total mess and Howard may want to leave that all behind for another team like the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Warriors, Nets or Houston Rockets.
The Lakers ranked sixth in scoring and fourth in rebounding with Hoard, while the defense suffered allowing the 22nd most points per game and ranked just 17th in assists while dealing with injuries. Howard was finally starting to look good with Bryant when he got hurt and there is a chance that he thinks the situation is just cursed. According to Yahoo Sports, Howard expressed that the Golden State Warriors would be an intriguing option and with former Lakers great Jerry West in the front office, that could be the push he needs to go there.
The Warriors would be wise to try and sign him, as the team has a number of talented players with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, while the team also pushed the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs before losing the series. Curry has proven to be one of the best shooters in the league before dropping 44 in the Game 1 loss against the Spurs and 54 against the Knicks and one major thing that the team needs is size down low and he would give them that.
Howard would cost a bit, but the Warriors have money with their new owner and he might enjoy a stable coaching situation, as Mark Jackson proved that he should stay with the Warriors. Andrew Bogut was solid for the team but he is no Howard and with players like Thompson and Harrison Barnes behind Curry, the Warriors would be a contender with Howard in the fold. Bogut is injury prone and the team could bring in Howard to be their primary rebounder. The team showed what it could do in the playoffs and with Howard on the team they could be a big force in the West next season.