Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors involve Dwight Howard, as he reportedly won over his teammates during his meeting.
There have been plenty of Los Angeles Lakers rumors in recent days involving Dwight Howard. The Lakers signed the beleaguered big man once he cleared waivers after agreeing to a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies.
This will be the second time that Howard will don the purple and gold. The first time, things did not go well.
Howard was acquired via trade from the Orlando Magic and was expected to be the next great center to man the middle for the Lakers. Things did not go as planned, as Howard did not get along with Kobe Bryant. He left after that season, signing a deal with the Houston Rockets in free agency to play alongside James Harden.
That began the downfall of Howard, reputation-wise, around the league. He has garnered the reputation as someone who is not committed to the team or improving himself on the court. That is part of the reason the Lakers will be the fourth team he plays on in four seasons, and the sixth organization he is a part of; the Brooklyn Nets and Grizzlies waived him before he even suited up for them.
It is a risk to bring Howard in to help replace the injured DeMarcus Cousins. He is still able to produce while on the court, but his attitude and willingness to do whatever it takes to win has been called into question. That is why it was so important for Howard to make a good first impression, and that is exactly what he did.
More from Lake Show Life
- Darvin Ham adds to Max Christie hype train after Lakers preseason opener
- Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest Lakers vs Warriors update
- Can Darvin Ham put all of the Lakers puzzle pieces together?
- Lakers news: Darvin Ham knows his fifth starter, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino praise
- Michael Malone’s painfully ironic comment has Lakers fans heated
Howard needed to win over some people on the roster to become a part of the team. There were players on the roster that wondered if Howard could be trusted. Well, his first chance to prove he is changed went well, as he reportedly won over LeBron James and Anthony Davis with his approach and mindset during the meeting.
To land the final roster spot, Howard needed to win over the players on the roster. The organization was moving toward signing him, but the players needed to be on board as well, and Howard won them over.
Howard made it clear that he is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win. That is what the players were hoping to hear, as Howard excels at the two things they need him to do; protect the rim and rebound.
It is easy to say that you will do these things. This was a job interview, and you present the best you can during an interview. Howard did that and now he will have to show he meant it.
The Lakers have no financial ties to Howard as he is signing a non-guaranteed deal. If he doesn’t buy-in, they will just release him. Howard cannot afford another team giving up on him and releasing him. He has a lot to prove and a great opportunity to rehab his value with the Lakers.