NBA Rumors: As the market for big men in free agency continues to dry up, the Washington Wizards hope they can sign Dwight Howard once he gets bought out
There’s a reason why the Washington Wizards didn’t exactly go hard after Nerlens Noel, JaVale McGee, Aron Baynes, Ed Davis, Allen Len or any other available big man available on the open market. That’s because they’ve had their eye on another center.
Dwight Howard.
Howard was traded from the Charlotte Hornets to the Brooklyn Nets in a salary dump, but is expected to be bought out soon, making him an unrestricted free agent. The Wizards are expected to go hard after the former all-star center, per the Washington Post.
"[via Washington Post]"
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"The Washington Wizards are looking to fill their super-sized hole at center with a player once known as ‘Superman.’Once the trade becomes official and terms of Howard’s buyout are completed, the Wizards plan to be at the front of the line to offer a contract to the three-time Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time all-star, according to several people in the league familiar with the team’s plans."
Howard is no longer the all-star caliber player he once was, and is far more the traditional big man than a new-wave type of big that is excelling in today’s NBA, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t value in him either.
This past season with the Hornets, Howard plaid 81 games and averaged 17 points, 13 rebounds and nearly two blocks per game. The big problem, of course, is the fact that he offers no threat to stretch the defense, and is often a liability due to the fact that he can’t really guard the perimeter.
And even if he comes out, he’s too slow on that end to keep up with the younger, more agile centers that the NBA is introducing at an unspeakable rate.
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To say that Dwight Howard can’t help an NBA team in 2018 would be a bit too far. Howard is a big body that can rebound well and clean up offensive rebounds. He’s a force inside, and would have the ability to start for the Wizards from day 1.