It’s been a whirlwind week for Golden State Warriors fans who began contemplating the idea of veteran NBA center Dwight Howard playing for the franchise, before reports on Friday that they’d turned their back on the 37-year-old.
Howard held multiple workouts and meetings with the Warriors last week, leading to a report from Kron 4 News’ Jason Dumas that veteran players had ‘signed off’ on the eight-time All-Star. However, less than 48 hours later, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported the franchise is “not expected to sign Howard or another veteran center ahead of training camp”.
Golden State Warriors’ General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. provided a generalized response when specifically asked about Dwight Howard.
Speaking to the media in a press conference on Monday, new Warrior GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. was unsurprisingly asked about their reported decision not to add Howard to their currently vacant 14th roster spot.
"“The player you mentioned was just one of many that we brought in and evaluated. I think right now you’ll know more about who we’re inviting to camp in a couple days. But overall we feel good about what we’ve done this summer”, Dunleavy said."
Dunleavy addresses why the Warriors didn't sign Dwight Howard before training camp pic.twitter.com/2XFLa65Ml2
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) September 25, 2023
It was a generalized response from Dunleavy who also added that the Warriors have had ’40-50 guys in’ for workouts over the offseason. None of those have nearly the same resumé as Howard though, with the three-time Defensive Player of the Year still looking for another opportunity in the league having played in Taiwan last season.
On an upcoming episode of The Athletic NBA Show, Dunleavy did provide a little more clarification by stating, “We have five guys who can give us minutes at the five position”.
That statement rings true with veterans Kevon Looney, Draymond Green and Dario Saric, along with rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis and the recently signed two-player in Usman Garuba. Yet it’s also true that none of those players stand above 6’10”, leaving concern for Golden State fans regarding a lack of size heading into the season.
While Dunleavy’s lack of specific comments on Howard may simply because he feels he doesn’t need to, the lack of clarity may also suggest that the soon-to-be 38-year-old still remains a consideration for the Warriors heading into training camp.