Dwight Howard Settles For Taiwan Stint Than Wait For NBA Call

Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers — Dwight Howard opts to move to Taiwan before his 37th birthday. Getty Images | Sam Greenwood

KEY POINTS

Dwight Howard takes his act to Taiwan with no calls from NBA teams
Howard is expected to put forth stellar outings due to his years of experience
Howard's decision to join Taiwan team comes a month before he turns 37 years old

The plight of Dwight Howard took a different turn ever since he left the Orlando Magic in 2012.

He had to reinvent himself, something he was able to do with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers.

Unfortunately, the top pick of the 2004 NBA Draft found himself waiting for a taker after the 2021-22 season.

He had been linked to several teams such as the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriors, but nothing has so far gone down for Howard.

Time is essential to the one-time NBA champion, and it appears he has made up his mind and will be playing basketball soon.

The catch is that it won't happen in the NBA, but in Taiwan instead.

The 6-foot-11 cager announced on Monday, November 7 that he signed with the Taoyuan Leopards.

"I am so so excited, and I can't wait to touch down in Taiwan and start playing," Howard reportedly said on a social media post of the Leopards. "I'm coming with open arms, with big hugs and big smiles."

It was a timely move for Howard who is set to turn 37 next month.

He tries out the competition in Taiwan's T1 League, where he is expected to dominate other big men inside the paint.

Howard is coming off another season with the Lakers who failed to make it past the regular season despite having the likes of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook on the roster.

The eight-time All-Star played in 60 games last season for the Lakers, starting in 27 of them and averaging 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds in 16.2 minutes of action.

It was a forgettable stint for the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion, the poorest performance he has so far had since invading the NBA in 2004.

Aside from the Magic, Sixers and Lakers, Howard also had stops with the Houston Rockets, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards.

His best year was during the 2010-11 NBA season with the Magic, norming 22.9 points, 14.1 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 1.4 assists, and 1.4 assists in 37.6 minutes of action.

Depending on his performance, Howard's numbers are expected to be a bit similar to that if things pan out.