NBA Rumors: Howard May Leave Lakers Again To Pursue Greener Pasteur

Dwight Howard has finally gotten something any NBA player has been longing for - an NBA championship. The 6-foot-11 center was part of the 2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers team that downed the Miami Heat in Game 6, the franchise's 17th NBA title.

Howard ended up playing support to the Lakers' young core led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Like most of the players in the mix, the three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year savored their first NBA triumph. However, the future of Howard may be up in the air soon.

The top pick of the 2004 NBA Draft settled for a $2.5 million contract, the best he could get with his career on the decline. After dealing with injury-riddled years, Howard showed he could adjust to whatever role would be given to him. That impressed pundits but most feel that Howard may eventually try his luck reviving his career next NBA season.

Also, it would be best to note that Howard came in as a replacement to DeMarcus Cousins. The 30-year-old big man suffered an ACL injury, forcing the hand of the Lakers to find a replacement. Some believe that the Lakers will revisit Cousins in the season where he could be re-signed. But in the eyes of ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Lakers are more likely to re-sign Howard than gamble on Cousins.

That could depend on what Howard has planned. The eight-time All-Star could opt to return to the Lakers and take another financial hit for another NBA ring. But if Howard feels that winning one NBA title is enough, there is a chance he could join other clubs in need of someone in the middle. Among the teams that need one include the Golden State Warriors and the Milwaukee Bucks. Both clubs have good chances at contending, something Howard may consider.

Regardless of what he has planned, Howard joins a list of select talented players who opted to join a championship-caliber squad to provide key minutes. According to NBA India, other players who followed that route include Marc Gasol (Toronto Raptors), Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks), Michael Finley (San Antonio Spurs), Gary Payton and Alonzo Mourning (Miami Heat) and Glen Rice (Los Angeles Lakers).

Hence, Howard will be an interesting player to watch this NBA offseason. But for now, he is savoring his first NBA title with the same team he left back in 2013 for the Houston Rockets.