Prior to signing with the Atlanta Hawks in the summer of 2016, center Dwight Howard surveyed his options prior to free agency, including looking into the former franchise that got it all started — the Orlando Magic.

The 6-foot-11, 265-pound hulking big man wasn't shy about admitting that he asked if the organization would be interested in his return after eight stellar seasons that brought the franchise to relevancy in the late 2000s.

With a re-shaped front office, Howard inquired about a potential return, but his plans didn't align with the youth-infused organization — ultimately signing with the Hawks, which turned out to be a short-lived stint.

Howard fell off considerably after having four 20-point-plus scoring seasons in a Magic jersey, as did his defense — failing to be the intimidating presence at the rim he once was throughout the first eight years of his career.

The “fun-loving” big man is now an asset at the center position, but far from the star he once was with his former team, gathering less-impressive stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, and the Hawks — hoping to turn back the clock in his 14th season with his new team, the Charlotte Hornets.