Los Angeles Lakers: There is a role for Dwight Howard to fill in 2019-20

As he tries to resurrect his NBA career, there is a role to fill for Dwight Howard on the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019-20

When it was reported that Dwight Howard was signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, many were quick to laugh off the idea. However, the name aside, there is a role that needs to be filled at the center position for the Lakers.

After DeMarcus Cousins was lost for the season due to a torn ACL, a gigantic hole was left at the team’s center position. And assuming that Anthony Davis won’t slide over, the only true center, apart from Dwight, that the Lakers had on their roster was JaVale McGee.

Los Angeles needed to sign another center, even if for depth alone. Dwight, while he comes with some baggage, checks all the boxes with what the Lakers need heading into this season.

Offensively, the Lakers don’t need a center that requires the ball in his hands to be effective. Dwight, at this point in his career, can be that. Assuming that he really had his “rock bottom” moment and that he’s serious about just fitting in and filling a role needed by his team, Dwight has the ability to excel in that role.

Looking at Dwight the last couple of seasons, if there’s one thing that he can still do is rebound. The Lakers were one of the worst teams in rebounding differential last season, finishing tied for 17 in the league. When it came to offensive rebounding differential, they were in the bottom third of the league, specifically.

Dwight may not be “superman” anymore, but he’s still a decent rebounder. In nine games last season, he averaged nine rebounds per game. If that’s too much of a small sample size, Dwight averaged 13 rebounds in 81 games for the Charlotte Hornets two years ago.

Of course, he was playing roughly 25-30 minutes in each of those games. It’s tough to say how many minutes he’d play for the Lakers this season, but he’s been a great rebounder since he first set foot in an NBA locker room. His rebounding, if nothing else, will be there.

Another factor to remember about Dwight is that he’s always been quite efficient. In three of the last four years, Dwight has shot above 60 percent from the field. Considering that his touches will be limited, that has to be something the Lakers can feel good about.

Dwight won’t be taking an active role with the Lakers this season, so assuming that he can rebound and score somewhat efficiently when called upon, there’s a chance that he could fill a void for the Lakers.

Then, you have to throw in the LeBron factor. LeBron makes teammates better, almost better than any other star in league history. If Dwight comes in and plays his role, and doesn’t try to force anything, he will be put in a position to be successful. Heck, if the Golden State Warriors made a reclamation project of JaVale McGee, there’s no question that LeBron and Anthony Davis could do something similar with a much more talented player in Dwight.

Playing next to AD never made the game any more difficult either. In fact, these will be the most talented teammates that Dwight has ever played next to – don’t jump in the comments Kobe Bryant and James Harden stans.

Finally, don’t overlook the fact that both the Lakers and Dwight will be playing with a huge chip on their shoulders. With the Los Angeles Clippers upstaging the Lakers by signing Kawhi Leonard and then trading for Paul George, and then the Cousins injury, many are down on the Lakers at the moment.

Add in the fact that LeBron James was injured last year and never really looked like himself post-injury and the fact that Anthony Davis isn’t exactly a sure bet to remain healthy for an entire season, the Lakers can sell itself on being an underdog and overlooked heading into 2019-20.

As for Dwight, well ever since being run out of Houston he’s been a joke around the league. The fact that the NBA is quickly moving away from the traditional big man doesn’t help either. However, the Lakers and Dwight are both in a position where they need huge bounce-back seasons.

While your first reaction to Dwight signing with the Lakers might’ve been laughter, there’s a scenario where this could lead to a very fruitful relationship for the two parties.