Dwight Howard clears waivers, officially signing with Lakers, will reportedly wear No. 39 next season

Dwight Howard has officially cleared waivers after being let go by the Memphis Grizzlies, and is in the process of signing his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic:

The Lakers later confirmed the move.

While some might say “didn’t we know this was going to happen already? Why is this news?”, and to them I say: Didn’t we say the same thing about Tyronn Lue being hired as head coach? Any time something that’s said to be in the works actually gets done after that, it’s news.

But as far as Howard goes, we’ll see if he says there is any meaning to it, but No. 39 is an exceedingly random number, and one the internet had some fun with:

But there might be a simpler explanation:

As for Dwight’s deal being a “summer contract,” this just drives home again how thin of ice he’ll be starting out on in his second stint in Los Angeles. The Lakers aren’t offering any guaranteed money here, and if Howard doesn’t commit to playing the role the team wants him to, he’s going to be looking for another roster to latch on to real soon. If he just rebounds, screens and finishes lobs, however, he may last a bit longer.

For a player with the amount of fresh starts Howard has had, him changing now is a big if. But to add another one, if there was ever a time for Howard to turn things around and show he can contribute to winning as a role player, now would seem to be the time. He has to recognize that this might be his last NBA shot at this point, and one would think that would mean he’d mind his p’s and q’s to make sure he takes advantage of it.

If he doesn’t do so, well, he won’t be around long, and his No. 39 uniform will be a great hipster collector’s item to wear around Las Vegas Summer League.

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