Life in the NBA isn’t just tough for the incoming rookies — it can be equally, if not more, challenging for veterans who are past their prime, and Dwight Howard is a perfect example of this harsh reality. Once regarded as one of the most dominant big men in the league, who led the Orlando Magic to the 2009 Finals on his back and won three DPOY titles consecutively, Dwight found it challenging to find a roster spot in the league as his career entered its last stretch.
What made things worse was that, despite his willingness to adapt, multiple teams utilized Howard in ways that limited his potential, leaving him deeply frustrated before ultimately forcing him out of the league.
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Howard never appreciated the approach the Lakers showed him
After sustaining an injury during the 2018-19 season that restricted his appearances to merely nine for the Washington Wizards, Howard’s productivity evidently dipped. Over his last three campaigns, D12 averaged a combined 6.9 points per game despite playing in 60 or more games each season.
While Dwight was content with accepting a backup role, his frustration grew when teams like the Los Angeles Lakers asked him to operate solely as a rebounder, rather than utilizing his complete skill set. Even at the age of 36, Howard wasn’t just fit; he was an eight-time All-Star who possessed such a lethal ability in the post that he could easily involve himself in pick-and-roll plays and contribute to elevating a team’s offensive prowess.
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However, the reality was that the Lakers’ coaching staff expected him to fill only specific gaps in the team in the limited playing time he was offered. On the contrary, if Howard had expressed more autonomy and taken the liberty to play freely, he wouldn’t even have been given a role off the bench. And that disrespect deeply troubled Dwight.
“Sometimes I get on the court and I’m so frustrated at the fact that teams were making me play with my hands tied behind my back. They only want you to rebound, don’t look at the basket, if you get the ball, throw it out,” Howard recalled.
“I remember one game coach was like, ‘I’m gonna have DeAndre play two-three games, then Imma have you for the next two-three games.’ But when we got to that game, he told me right before the game, ‘You’re not gonna play.’ I’m like, ‘Why am I even here?’ So, during the game, DeAndre (Jordan) gets mad at the coach, subs him out, ‘Dwight? Let’s go!’ So, I come into the game, dominate and we win the game. He didn’t play me the next game. ‘Dwight, we don’t want you to dribble the ball.’ I come down again, pass it, get it back, three at the top of the key, ‘Dwight, we don’t want you to shoot the ball,” he further explained.
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That’s the NBA’s harsh truth
From a fan’s perspective, there is always hope that Hall of Fame-caliber talents like Howard can finish their careers with dignity, receiving the minutes and opportunities they deserve. However, the modern NBA’s competitive structure has evolved in a way that often sees teams acquire aging veterans merely to fill specific gaps, rather than genuinely incorporating them into their systems.
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As a result, once a player no longer aligns with a team’s ideology or style, their pedigree is often overlooked, regardless of their continued capabilities. Dwight’s frustration mirrors that of several other former stars who faced similar exits from the league. Even players like John Wall and Carmelo Anthony have publicly expressed before that they had gas left in the tank, but continued to be overlooked, ultimately forcing them to end their careers without a fitting conclusion.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 7, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.