Dwight Howard is officially heading to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame inducted the big man – who dominated the paint for nearly two decades – on his first ballot. ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news, confirming that Howard will join former teammate Carmelo Anthony and other greats in Springfield as part of the 2025 class. Just last month, the Orlando Magic inducted him into their own Hall of Fame, and now, the Naismith nod only adds to his legendary run. This honor seems like a fitting conclusion, but is Howard’s story truly over?

Even though he last suited up in the NBA during the 2021–22 season with the Lakers, the 39-year-old’s resume still reads like someone who could lace up one more time. We’re talking eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and an NBA champion in 2020. Additionally, he secured an Olympic gold in 2008. With numbers and accolades like those, most would close the book – but Dwight refuses to hang up his jersey.

In fact, after his HOF nomination, Dwight made it clear – he’s far from done. Taking to X, he wrote, “I’m not retired yet, but I’ll take it. I’m extremely grateful, I just pray they don’t do me like they did the last list.” That last part referenced his shocking snub from the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.

Still, Howard hasn’t been quiet about trying to make a comeback. He’s been open about wanting to return, but he’s also hinted that life beyond basketball is calling. During an appearance on Gil’s Arena, he got real about missing time with his family and wanting to change that.

“I love the game, I’ve always loved it,” he said. “Now I want to give that time to the kids…”

But that’s not all. Dwight Howard’s also hunting for a new agent after an alleged fraud involving a fake Lakers contract.

Dwight Howard’s ex-agent drama

Calvin Darden Jr. orchestrated a fraudulent scheme, falsely claiming involvement in purchasing the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, leading to over 12 years in federal prison. According to Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky, Darden Jr. scammed Dwight Howard and Chandler Parsons out of $8 million. He pitched them a dream of owning the Atlanta Dream, but in reality, it was all smoke and mirrors.

Notably, Howard alone lost $7 million in the fake investment. Parsons, now 36, was duped out of another million. But when the sentence came down, Darden Jr. didn’t even show up in court. According to the Associated Press, the man who orchestrated the whole thing ghosted the moment accountability came knocking.

But it gets deeper. Darden Jr. wasn’t flying solo. He had backup – Charles Briscoe, Howard’s own agent at the time. They didn’t just sell Howard a fake dream; they backed it with fake names, too. Darden told him Tyler Perry, Issa Rae, and Naomi Osaka were all on board as advisors. But as the feds put it, “those individuals and companies had never agreed” and, in fact, many “had never even heard of Darden Jr.”

Eventually, it all came crashing down. The charging docs say Darden funneled the money into his personal playground – a $3.7M mansion, Basquiat art, luxury rides, and more. Howard only realized he wasn’t buying the Dream when ESPN broke the news – it had already been sold.

Dwight Howard may be headed to the Hall of Fame, but don’t confuse a bronze bust with a farewell. While most legends ride into the sunset with flowers and fanfare, Dwight’s still fighting for closure on his own terms. His story doesn’t fit into a clean retirement narrative. Maybe that’s the point. In a league that often forgets its giants, Dwight’s saga forces us to ask: how do we define legacy – by the exit, or by the echoes left behind?