Lake Show Life
Fansided

3 Los Angeles Lakers that might retire after this season

By Jason Reed

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 27: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers at Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 27: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers at Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
(Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Dwight Howard

The Los Angeles Lakers saved Dwight Howard from potential retirement two and a half years ago. Howard did not have a team heading into the 2019-20 season and it really did seem like the former Defensive Player of the Year would not play in the NBA again.

He still had some value in terms of on-court abilities but Howard had been a distraction in every place he landed the several years before. If it was not for DeMarcus Cousins tearing his ACL before the season, the Lakers would have never signed Howard.

Howard has parlayed that into three more seasons, two with the Lakers, even winning a championship to cap off what will undoubtedly be a Hall of Fame career. At 36 years old, it is probably time that Howard calls it quits.

MORE: 1 summer trade target from every lottery team

The traditional rim-protecting five just is not as important in today’s NBA and there are so many guys, veterans and young guys alike, who can provide that rim-protecting presence better than Howard can. Howard really has not played well this season and his gas tank as a pro may have ran empty.

Howard could maybe go to a team that needs size and is a contender but it is extremely unlikely that he goes to a team that is not a contender. And of the contending teams, it is hard to pick a landing spot that would make sense with there being so many other options.

Howard has nothing left to prove and could call it quits after this year.

Home/Lakers News