The Washington Wizards will officially introduce their latest addition, Dwight Howard, during a press conference Monday afternoon. The team announced the news to fans via Instagram, leading Howard to chime in with a simple response.
“Can’t wait,” Howard commented on the post.
Even at the age of 32, Howard gives the Wizards an immediate upgrade at center, one that all-stars John Wall and Bradley Beal have not had the pleasure of having in the post for their career prior to the signing of Howard.
Last season with the Charlotte Hornets, Howard averaged 16.6 points and 12.5 rebounds while shooting 55.5 percent from the field and playing 30.4 minutes per game. Charlotte took a step back in the standings, missing the postseason, leading to Howard, who joined the team last summer via a trade, to be the scapegoat.
Howard’s reputation within his team’s locker room has taken a hit. After being a cornerstone player with the Orlando Magic for the first eight seasons of his career, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year has bounced around the league with stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, and Atlanta Hawks along with the Hornets.
In each situation, Howard clashed with other star players on the team, including Kobe Bryant with the Lakers and James Harden with the Rockets. However, as his career is winding down, Howard is vowing to change the perception of his personality entering his 15th season in the NBA.
Howard joins a team that is led by Wall and Beal and recently added veterans Austin Rivers and Jeff Green to help bolster a supporting cast around one of the better starting fives in the NBA when healthy.
Howard signed a two-year deal worth $11 million with a player option for the second year. If all things go right with health and personalities meshing in the locker room, the Wizards may be one of the formidable teams in the new-look Eastern Conference.
