Roundtable Discussion: Dwight Howard and the Lakers

Should the Lakers try to resign Dwight Howard?

April 5, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (12) moves to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies defense during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

CC – No doubt. I know a lot of fans don’t want Howard anymore, but I think it is in the Lakers best interest to sign him. Dwight Howard, when healthy, is a top three player in the league. We saw what he did in Orlando, and there is no reason for him to not be able to get back to that Superman. If it weren’t for Howard, the Lakers probably would have had a historically bad defense this season. They need him for his defense and post presence; who cares if he can’t shoot free throws. It would be in the Lakers best interests to sign him.

JR – Absolutely. Trying to make assumptions based off his performance last year is silly because Howard wasn’t 100 percent last season. The healthier he got into the season, the better his production got and the more he looked like old Dwight. Given an entire off-season to get healthy and rejuvenate, I’m convinced he’ll be back to his old self, and his old self is the best center in the league.

SG – They absolutely should. Players like Dwight Howard come around once in a generation. I understand that he had a poor season this year, but he had nagging back problems and I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. When healthy, Dwight is the best center the NBA has seen since prime Shaq (KG and Tim Duncan were power forwards for a bulk of their careers). Why wouldn’t they want him to be the cornerstone of their squad going forward?

BB – This is an easy and obvious YES. The Lakers have planned to build their team around Howard as their franchise player, so obviously they need to re sign him. Howard, even when not 100 percent healthy as he showed last season, is still the most dominant player in the league hands down. I don’t think there is a team out there that would not want to sign him if possible.

FR – Absolutely the Lakers need to resign Dwight Howard, if for no other reason than he is better than the alternative, which is getting nothing for him. The Lakers are in a better position by signing Howard and trying to build around him. In resigning him they secure a highly sought after star big man that they build around for the future. If things don’t work out with Howard, they still have the ability to trade him down the line for talent and the Lakers would be in a better bargaining position for trades than they are now.

CL – The Lakers must put forth their best effort to resign Howard. He is the best center in the game and the best chance the Lakers have at keeping a player who can lead the franchise once Kobe is gone.