The Oklahoma City Thunder are in need of a center after Chet Holmgren's injury, and a player once compared to Superman is ready to answer the call.
No, Shaquille O'Neal is not making an NBA comeback at 52 years old.
After the Big Diesel claimed the Superman moniker, another athletic freak of nature came along to carry the mantle for a time. That player was none other than eight-time All-Star, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and 2020 NBA Champion with the Los Angeles Lakers ... Dwight Howard.
Howard is younger than you think. At 38 years old, he could plausibly still be playing center in the NBA (look at 38-year-old Al Horford). In fact, Howard just came out and publicly stated that he wants to make a return this season, specifically for the Thunder.
Per a new report from Andrew Peters of Bleacher Report, Howard appeared on Kevin Garnett's All The Smoke podcast and declared his desire to join OKC to fill in for the injured Holmgren.
"OKC, your boy is ready," Howard said, per Peters. "What's happening? Y'all need a big. Y'all need somebody that's going to bring some energy. I ain't got nothing to do neither, I just got finished dancing. Me and (Alex Caruso) together, championship. I'm just saying, we did it before. Y'all already got a superstar, y'all just need somebody who know how to play defense. That's certified."
Howard last played in the NBA during the 2021-22 season, in which he appeared in 60 games (27 starts) for the Lakers and averaged 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in 16.2 minutes per game. He played in Taiwan during the 2022-23 season.
Should the Thunder take up Howard on his offer?
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