Lakers officially cut ties with generational 6-foot-10 Hall of Fame center, NBA champion
· Yahoo Sports
Lakers officially cut ties with generational 6-foot-10 Hall of Fame center, NBA champion originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Los Angeles Lakers renounced the free agent rights to over 10 assets on Wednesday, but some stick out more than others.
Among the contributors who are officially no longer a part of the Lakers’ organization is a generational 6-foot-11 Hall of Fame center and NBA champion.
“The Los Angeles Lakers have officially renounced the free agent rights to LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Dion Waiters, Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart, Maxi Kleber, Nick Smith Jr, Jared Dudley, Avery Bradley, Jaxson Hayes, Markieff Morris, and Wayne Ellington,” HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto wrote on X/Twitter.
With Howard retiring from basketball in March, there was never a scenario in which the 40-year-old would suit up for the Lakers again. Still, Scotto’s report makes it crystal clear that the two parties are going their separate ways in early July.
Howard’s first stint with the Lakers (2012-13) was highly productive from an individual success standpoint, as the Atlanta, Georgia native averaged 17.1 points, 12.4 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game.
However, Los Angeles failed to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time since the 2006-07 season. Not only did the former Orlando Magic superstar win a playoff series with the Lakers during his second stint with the Lakers, but he also hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy at the end of the season (2019-20).
After spending the 2020-21 campaign with the Philadelphia 76ers, Howard returned to Los Angeles the following season before finishing his illustrious career overseas and in the Big 3.
Given that Howard was elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025, it’s safe to say that the dominant rebounder, shot blocker, and low-post finisher will go down as one of the most talented centers of all time.
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