The Washington Wizards were not the only team prospectively looking to add center Dwight Howard, as the Golden State Warriors were already engaged in talks with the big man in search of a potential partnership.
Howard had just finished a buyout with the Brooklyn Nets after getting traded by the Charlotte Hornets following one of his best seasons in recent memory.
“Golden State called, and I thought about them. But once John sent me that message, I was like, man. I couldn't tell him at first, but I was like, ‘Man, I'm going to be a Wizard.' That was my mindset,” Howard said, according to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington.
The Warriors had heavy interest in fortifying their frontcourt, already expecting David West to retire after netting the second championship during his second year with the team, and a declining Zaza Pachulia who had proven too slow and less durable during this previous season.
Wall would give Howard the chance to play with an elite playmaker, one that could redefine his career after playing for four teams in the past six seasons.
Howard would also fit the hole left in the middle, after the Wizards traded center Marcin Gortat for Austin Rivers, making him a plug-and-play into the system and the much-needed “athletic” big that Wall clamored for after getting eliminated from the playoffs.
The 6-foot-11 big dipper didn't take long to thank Wall for reaching out to him during his introductory press conference.
“No lie, when I saw the message on Instagram, I really got so happy. I was like ‘John just DM'd me, oh man this is crazy!' After that, I really just started to put on my thinking cap,” Howard said. “I just thought about all the possibilities. I was like ‘man, this could be the best spot for me.'”
Howard's prospect would be replaced by DeMarcus Cousins, who agreed to sign with the Warriors during the second day of free agency.
Only time will tell if both of these big men found the right fit.
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