Some former NBA players find it challenging to step away from the game for good, even at advanced ages.
An ex-Los Angeles Lakers NBA champion center and Hall of Famer falls into that category, as he recently made it clear that he’s attempting an NBA comeback at age 40.
“People like Taj Gibson (40 years old) & Al Horford (39 years old) is the reason I ain’t retired,” Dwight Howard wrote on X/Twitter last Thursday. “I want a farewell tour.”
Things went downhill quickly for Howard in the big leagues. The former No. 1 overall pick averaged 7.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists on the championship-winning 2019-20 Lakers squad, but failed to re-sign with the franchise in the offseason.
Instead, Howard inked a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers before returning to the Lakers before the start of the 2021-22 season. After Los Angeles’ disappointing campaign, Howard found himself out of the league completely, prompting him to take his talents elsewhere.
Howard has competed with the Taoyuan Leopards (T1 League), Strong Group (Dubai International Basketball Championship), and Taiwan Mustangs (TAT) since leaving the NBA in 2022.
The former Orlando Magic guard has only participated in the popular 3-on-3 professional basketball league created by Ice Cube, proving that his passion for the game hasn’t disappeared.
It’s unlikely an NBA team will be open to investing at this stage of his career, but you can never say never nowadays.
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