The Los Angeles Lakers are in big trouble if Dwight Howard opts out

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Dwight Howard #39 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate while playing the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Dwight Howard #39 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate while playing the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

Dwight Howard is wildly efficient on offense. Numerous games during the season, he didn’t miss a shot.

Look, Dwight Howard has been overwhelming on defense but he has shown some flashes of brilliance on offense. It seems that he has added the 3-point shot to his repertoire. Don’t sleep on Dwight Howard.

He lit up the Cleveland Cavaliers with three shots from the land of the extra point. Maybe he should have let the slam dunk contest go and participated in the 3 point contest during All-Star weekend.

https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1216958746624057344

Okay we are just kidding, even though Dwight has been seen working on his 3-point shot.

Dwight Howard makes his living scoring down low running lanes on the fast break, playing the pick and roll and following up missed shots with put back dunks.

Nothing illustrates this point better than the 16-point, 10-rebound performance against the Charlotte Hornets. He didn’t miss any of his eight shots from the field. This was earlier in the season when LeBron James did not play well and AD got injured.

Dwight Howard’s presence will be missed on the offensive end even though he doesn’t get nearly the touches he got in the past. Why? He still is dangerous enough to command attention to open up driving lanes for AD and LeBron who are willing passers. He has the chemistry with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Alex Caruso to run the pick and roll.

The biggest underrated asset is the offensive rebounds. Dwight Howard will put a body on somebody. Something the Lakers will need if they play the Clippers.

Speaking of the Clippers, Ivica Zubac can’t do anything with Dwight Howard. Howard has the ability to take him out of a playoff series with his physicality.