Dwight Howard presents a low-risk, high-reward scenario for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers look like they will be using their final roster spot on center, Dwight Howard. Howard will be tasked with replacing DeMarcus Cousins, who tore his ACL while working out.
The addition of Howard won’t be official until he clears waivers, but it is one that has gotten people talking. Howard has been derailed by injuries in recent seasons and has not developed a great reputation as a locker room presence. Despite that, his signing is a low-risk, high-reward acquisition.
There is no doubting the talent that Howard possesses. He was once regarded as the best center in the league, being named to eight All-Star and All-NBA teams, five All-Defensive teams and was named Defensive Player of the Year three consecutive years.
Expecting that level of performance from Howard would be unrealistic at this point. However, the Lakers have a plan in place for him that should help him succeed.
Howard presented himself well during the meeting he had with the team. He has lost 25 pounds and the team wants him to be a rim protector and rebounder. Those are arguably the two things Howard has done best throughout his career.
Howard came to meet Lakers after dropping 25 pounds; showed his back was healthy. Lakers want him to protect rim/rebound in limited role. There was sense Howard realized he hit "rock bottom" and had been humbled. Still they'll judge him on actions, not words. He's been warned.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 23, 2019
The part about Howard being warned is where the low-risk comes in. Throughout his career, Howard has rubbed some people the wrong way for how he has conducted business and carried himself. He did well enough during the meetings that the Lakers are going to give himself a chance to show that he has made the necessary changes.
In case those changes are not made, the Lakers will lose nothing if they cut Howard. Howard’s deal with the team is non-guaranteed.
Dwight Howard's deal with the Lakers will be non-guaranteed, league source tells ESPN. Howard had several meetings with Lakers officials, and they'll give him a chance to show he's made changes in how he conducts himself. Lakers players were involved in process.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 23, 2019
The Lakers are using caution re-entering another partnership with Howard, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. However, they ultimately hold all of the power in this pairing.
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Because he is playing on a non-guaranteed deal, the Lakers have all of the leverage. If he does not live up to his end of the deal, they will cut him with no repercussions. But, if Howard is truly changed and accepting of the role, the Lakers are getting a solid addition.
Last season, the Lakers received a big boost when they signed Tyson Chandler to help steady their second unit defensively. Howard will be asked to fill a similar role but is a far superior player compared to Chandler at this point in their careers.
Howard isn’t Cousins, but none of the players they were looking at can do what Cousins does. However, given the role the Lakers envision, Howard has a chance to fit in well.
Given the money that will be spent, this is a low-risk, high-reward decision by the Lakers. Either Howard commits and truly changes, improving his image when he hits free agency again next summer. Or, he shows that nothing has changed and will be released in a few months with his NBA future in serious doubt.