The Golden State Warriors may be closing in on signing an NBA Champion who will provide them with more of a presence around the rim and Steph Curry and co are excited by it
Steph Curry seems happy with a potential new teammate at the Golden State Warriors.
The four-time NBA champion may be joined by Dwight Howard next season as rumours regarding his return to the league have gathered pace. According to KRON4 News, the former Los Angeles Lakers star has finished a two-day interview process with the Warriors.
The source also said Curry and his veteran teammates approve of the potential acquisition of the eight-time All-Star. He is now said to be heading to Los Angeles to work out with Draymond Green and new Warriors player Chris Paul today. Green seemed rather frustrated by the timing of the report after he tweeted: “One day, one day, everything won’t leak.
“One day. Good for you btw Jason. But one day, EVERYTHING won’t leak. I have a dream.” Howard has not played in the NBA since 2021/22 season with the Lakers. This was his third stint with the team, which lasted one season before he moved to the TaiwanBeer Leopards in Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
Now aged 37, Howard is well into the twilight of his career, but his experience and presence in the front court will be vital for the Warriors if he were to join. Arguably a veteran big man who can serve as a rim protector on the defensive end is the missing piece to coach Steve Kerr’s roster.
Howard would also prove a lob threat on offense which could serve as some easy points for the Warriors throughout the course of the season. There is perhaps no better player to feed lob passes to Howard than Paul. He formed a special connection with DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin during their time at the LA Clippers, throwing up passes at will for his teammates to slam through the hoop. This was when the term ‘lob city’ was coined.
This was a sight also seen at the Phoenix Suns when Paul was regularly throwing up lob passes for Deandre Ayton. Howard can also provide cover for Green and Kevon Looney should there be any injuries, or if either of them end up in trouble. Howard should be able to help bring positive energy to the Warriors locker room which was far from harmonious at times last season.
Another experienced player and NBA champion in the team will be a bonus, especially for the younger players in the team who have yet to taste championship glory. Over the course of his NBA career, Howard has averaged 15.7 points and 11.8 rebounds.
In his most recent season in the NBA 2021-22 season, he averaged 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds. He made the All-NBA first team five straight seasons from 2008-2012 and for three consecutive campaigns, he was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Howard was truly dominant in the late 2000s and early 2010s, as he was also selected in the NBA All-Defensive First Team for four straight seasons. The center led the league in blocks in 2009 and 2010, and was the league’s rebounding leader on five occasions. Should Howard bring some of this form to the Warriors if he joins, another NBA championship may be in their sights.
