Why did Dwight Howard leave the NBA? Uncovering the reasons behind his exit

For nearly two decades, Dwight Howard was a force in the NBA. After being selected first overall in 2004, he went on to become one of the top big men of his generation.

After 18 years in the league, Dwight Howard is no longer on an NBA roster. He last played for the LA Lakers during the 2021-22 season, where he averaged 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds across 60 games.

Seeing that he was recently a rotation player on a title team, many are curious about why Dwight Howard decided to leave the NBA. The simple answer is that no team decided to offer him a contract. At the age of 37, it might be the end of the road for the future Hall of Famer.

If he never steps foot on an NBA floor again, Howard will end his career as an eight-time All-Star, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, one-time champion and eight-time All-NBA.

What is Dwight Howard up to since leaving the NBA?

Following his final stint with the LA Lakers, Howard has taken on multiple different projects. Over the summer, he tested his luck in the professional wrestling world by trying out for WWE. Since he was always a big personality, Howard was impressive with a microphone in his hands.

Sticking with the big screen, Howard decided to join a TV show that has truly pushed his limits. The NBA star is on the show "Special Forces," where numerous celebrities have been put through rigiourous army training.

In terms of basketball, Howard is keeping himself ready. Like most players, he decided to go overseas to continue playing professionally. Howard inked a deal with a team in Taiwan and is still putting up big numbers.

Could Dwight Howard make a return to the NBA?

Even at 37-years-old, Howard is still keeping an eye on a return to the league. A deal might not be on the table at the moment, but it could come soon depending on the situation.

Currently, teams are doing what they can to make upgrades before the Feb. 9 trade deadline. After that, the buyout market becomes the place to pick up rotational pieces.

Once the dust settles from the deadline, contenders will have a good idea of what their roster will look like for the playoff push. If a team is still looking for frontcourt depth after Feb. 9, Howard could be a name they give a call to. In recent years, he has proven he can be a valuable veteran piece for a team looking to contend for a title.