Will there be a comeback for Dwight Howard in the NBA? The 3x Defensive Player of the Year has time and again expressed his desire to return to the league. Whether it be him hilariously photoshopping himself in the jersey of different teams or his humorously played-out approach to Jeanie Buss, the hints have been right there. So was his recent meetup with the LA Lakers’ coach somewhere connected to this unfulfilled desire?

The 8x All-Star shared a video on X featuring him and JJ Redick outside what seems the Lakers facility. “Good seeing you JJ… Talking to you brought back flashbacks of when you told me to come to Duke with you and next thing you know we were competing in the finals against the lakers… Now you’re the coach… I’m proud of you good luck this season…” he wrote in the caption.

This comes after his recent podcast appearance with Jeanie Buss, where he sang “Jeanie, give me one more chance”. He may have played this appeal humorously, but also revealed he was hurt by Lakers not bringing him back. “I was sad… Wanted to come back… Thought that the team we had would be back together again. I thought I had done something wrong,” he said on his Above The Rim podcast.

However, Buss stated that the franchise did extend him an offer but seemingly a communication gap got in the way. Considering that D12 averaged 7.3 rebounds and still had some defensive juice left in him with 1.1 block per game in the 18.9 minutes per game he played through his championship season (2020) with the Lakers, Buss’ claim seems a possibility.

However, by his last stint with the Lakers, both his stats and games played with the team had significantly dropped. And yes, he did not give up on basketball even after the NBA by taking his talents to T1 League’s Taoyuan Leopards, but after all this time, chances for him to return in the big league seem thin.

Now, even if his 23.2 points, 16.2 rebounds per game in 20 appearances for the Leopards seem impressive, what are the chances that his return will be with the Lakers? But more importantly, is that even what D12 himself really wants?

Does Dwight Howard want to end his NBA career with Orlando Magic?

Dwight Howard has hinted at a sentimental desire to end his NBA career with the Orlando Magic. On The OGs podcast, he expressed, “If I could go back with a team, I gotta go back with the Magic. It’s only right.” Howard’s time in Orlando from 2004 to 2012 defined much of his career, where he earned six All-Star appearances and 3 Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Despite the accolades, his departure in 2012 followed a fractured relationship with coach Stan Van Gundy, leading to a trade to the Lakers. However, his not so smooth relationship with Kobe Bryant back then and seemingly a desire to lead his own team took D12 to the Houston Rockets.

However, his partnership with James Harden in the Rockets failed to produce expected results and his reputation took a hit. And once he became a journeyman, it seemingly became easier for people to forget how good D12 once was. But will his desire to close it all with the Magic come true? While the chances are thinner than a strand of hair, Howard’s interview with Buss can tell you he never leaves hope.