“Paolo (Banchero) don’t leave them,” Dwight Howard urged the 22-year-old not to repeat the decision that he made 13 years ago. Superman spent nearly eight years of his career with the Magic. Ever since he was drafted as the No. 1 pick, Howard had been the franchise and fan favorite as they inducted him into their Hall of Fame. Apart from a hiccup that ended his time with the franchise, nothing has changed. However, looking back at his stellar career with the team, he still has one regret that weighs heavily on him. 

Opening up about the incident, he admitted that he would have advised himself otherwise. From winning the Rich and Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award 6 times to leading the team to playoffs, Howard has several memories with the team. 

The champ is hailed as one of the best in the franchise. With 6 NBA Player of the Month wins and 18 NBA Player of the Week awards, he has held the franchise’s top spots. The former Magic coach Stan Van Gundy ensured to put Howard’s talents in the spotlight as well fuel up the team. However, that ended on a bad note after Howard asked for a trade. If only he could turn back the clock, he might have done things differently.

And this is what he likely regrets. When he was asked what he would advise to his younger self, he said, “Stay you fool you idiot. Sit your a– down.” “Experience is the best teacher And sometimes I said this earlier and I’m only going to tell you guys part of this Sometimes God like to play baseball,” he told Orlando Magic Podsquad.

Dwight Howard’s Hall of Fame induction in Orlando wasn’t just a celebration of past glories; it was a moment of profound reflection, a chance to reconcile with a chapter of his career marked by both triumph and regret. The cheers of the crowd and the banners bearing his name couldn’t fully mask the lingering ‘what ifs’ that haunted his departure. And as he stood on that stage, a message for the future echoed through the arena, a plea born from hard-won wisdom, directed at the Magic’s current star, Paolo Banchero.

Dwight Howard regrets leaving Orlando Magic 

Ahead of the big day, the ceremony into the Magic Hall of Fame, Howard addressed the fans’ disappointment after he left the team. He won the Defensive Player of the Year 3 times and made 6 playoff appearances. One of the most iconic wins was over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals. And he seemingly has regrets about how his time with the Orlando Magic ended. 

“I know I disappointed a lot of you guys and in some ways I disappointed myself. But that’s a whole part of life. Every day we learn, we grow. Thank you guys for supporting me all my beautiful years here. Paolo don’t leave them, man. Don’t leave them,” he told Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel.

Howard thrived under coach Stan Van Gundy. However, after early playoff exits, Howard grew frustrated, and by 2011, he began pushing for a trade. It was quite a turbulent time, and several rumors were flying around that added to the disappointment. He was later traded. After this, he went on to play for other teams and ultimately won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Dwight Howard’s journey, from a young superstar to a Hall of Fame inductee, is one to remember. In a league where loyalty is often tested and legacies are built on both victories and regrets, Howard’s words serve as a reminder: sometimes, the greatest victories are found in staying put, in building a lasting connection with a franchise and its fans. And as the Magic look to their future, Howard’s legacy, both the triumphs and the regrets, will serve as a reminder that true greatness is often found in the enduring bonds forged over time.