Los Angeles Lakers: Why the team must re-sign Dwight Howard

3. Dwight Howard’s offensive potential

This past season, the Los Angeles Lakers seldom ran post-up plays for Howard. He still averaged 7.5 points a game while shooting an outstanding 73% from the field, mostly on dunks and offensive rebounds.

Although he is not quite the inside threat he was in his earlier years, he still has some decent post moves and can score down low with either hand. His strength makes him tough to corral and leads to thunderous dunks.

If he does re-sign, expect the team to run more set plays for him. Even if opponents wrap him up to prevent an easy hoop, accumulating those fouls will provide more free throw opportunities later in the period for other Lakers.

He won’t be a 20-point per game scorer, but he could increase his average to double figures if he got more touches inside. Although that would mean his shooting percentage wouldn’t be as high, the tradeoff for additional baskets in the paint would be worth it.

Dwight has also shown that he’s a willing passer. More than once when the defense collapsed on him against Miami in the Finals, he made an excellent inside pass to an open Davis.

Although he scored the Lakers’ final basket of the season, a three-pointer near the end of the championship clincher, it’s not realistic to expect him to be a long-range threat. For the record, he shot 3-5 during the regular season and 1-2 in the playoffs from behind the line.

Howard is one of several Laker free agents along with Jared Dudley, Markieff Morris, JR Smith and Dion Waiters. The list could expand to also include Avery Bradley, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Davis, McGee and Rondo, all of whom have player options.

AD is expected to sign a long-term deal with the Lakers. KCP and Rondo are reportedly set to decline their options and test free agency, although their opportunities may be more limited than usual once the league announces how much lower the annual salary cap will be next season.

For the second straight off-season, Pelinka will have a challenging job filling out the Lakers roster. Fortunately, he’ll have a core starting with the team’s two superstars, LeBron and, presumably, Davis. Alex Caruso, Quinn Cook (non-guaranteed contract), Danny Green, Kyle Kuzma and Talen Horton-Tucker are also signed for next season.

Dwight Howard would be an excellent addition to help defend the title.