Los Angeles Lakers: Best free-agent fits for Dwight Howard if he leaves

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers battle for a rebound off a shot by LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half of the game at Staples Center on December 25, 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers battle for a rebound off a shot by LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half of the game at Staples Center on December 25, 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

1. Golden State Warriors

Dwight Howard seemingly does not fit the Golden State Warriors play style. Howard is not someone who is going to stretch the floor, however, he did make the last shot of the Los Angeles Lakers season by draining a deep three late in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

Perhaps he was practicing for his future team?

Howard is not going to be a three-point shooter for the Golden State Warriors but the Warriors would not need him to be. The team had JaVale McGee at center during their first NBA Championship runs and he did not space the floor, he just gave the team a rebounder and shot-blocker near the rim.

That is exactly what Howard would be for the Warriors and it is something that is needed. The Warriors do not really have a traditional center on the depth chart with Marquesse Chris and Eric Paschall being the team’s likely center options.

Both guys are fine as small-ball centers but the Warriors are going to need at least one traditional center on the roster. It might not be a big focus for the team, making a veteran minimum acquisition like Howard so sensible.

Howard gets to go to another contender that really could use him for 20 minutes off the bench in the same role that he played on the Los Angeles Lakers.