After failed attempts to reunite with Lakers, Dwight Howard manifests NBA comeback following Chet Holmgren's injury

One-time champion Dwight Howard has been vocal about his desire to make an NBA comeback. After the OKC Thunder faced a setback with big man Chet Holmgren suffering a right iliac wing fracture, Howard has made it known that he is ready to step in.

The Thunder’s center position has been hit hard by injuries, with both Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams yet to see any action this season. With the team lacking big men. Speaking to Kevin Garnett, Howard expressed readiness to step in for OKC if needed.

A clip of Howard and Garnett talking about the potential move was shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, seemingly teasing an upcoming episode of "KG Certified."

"OKC, ya boy is ready," Howard said. "Y'all need a big, y'all need a vet, y'all need somebody that's gonna bring some energy. I ain't got nothing to do neither."

Howard also highlighted his championship experience alongside Thunder wing Alex Caruso, with whom he won a title with the Lakers in 2020.

"Me and Alex Caruso together, championship. I'm just saying we did it before. Y'all already got a superstar, y'all just need somebody who knows how to play defense."

Dwight Howard told the New York Post in October that he "would definitely go back to the Lakers," where he had three different stints (2012-13, 2019-20 and 2021-22) and won a title in 2020. However, he has yet to secure that return.

If Howard signs with the Thunder, he would become the oldest player on the team at 38 years old (turning 39 on Dec. 8).

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Looking back at Dwight Howard's last season in the NBA

Dwight Howard last played for an NBA team in the 2021-22 season. That year, he suited up for 60 regular season games for the LA Lakers. Of those 60 games, he started in 27.

Throughout the season, he averaged 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. The Lakers finished with a 33-49 record that year, missing the playoffs, which also marked Frank Vogel's final season as head coach before being replaced by Darvin Ham.

Statistically, Howard's best stint with the Lakers was in 2012-13. That year, he joined forces with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and two-time league MVP Steve Nash.

Dwight Howard averaged 17.1 ppg and a league-leading 12.4 rpg that year. He also averaged 2.4 blocks per contest. After that season, he moved on to join the Houston Rockets.

In the 2019-20 season, he returned to the team and served as backup to Anthony Davis, helping the Lakers in their championship run in the bubble.