Dwight Howard isn’t guaranteed a contract with the Golden State Warriors.
The veteran big man was reportedly scheduled to work out for the team on Sept. 18 as Golden State continues to search for depth in the middle of the court. Howard spent last season playing overseas in Taiwan and discussed his uncertainty about why the Warriors would sign him earlier this summer.
During a recent episode of ESPN’s NBA Today, Kendra Andrews revealed how the Warriors are treating Howard as just another workout and that it doesn’t mean a contract offer is imminent. The Warriors have recently held tryouts for multiple veterans, including Derek Favors, who is also an option at the center position.
“Dwight’s expected to be there with the team today, sometime in the afternoon,” Andrews said. “I’m told that the Warriors are looking at this just as another work out, just another guy they’re bringing in to get a look at, as they’ve been doing for the past couple of months. They also bought in Kent Bazemore who used to be a member of the team. Juan Toscano-Anderson, who was a member of that 2022 title-winning team. … That doesn’t mean he is a member of the team. This is just another part of the process as the work to fill out the remaining roster spots.”
Golden State has two open roster spots heading into training camp. Due to its cap situation, it will likely use veteran minimum deals to round out their roster. Howard’s ability to defend the rim, rebound at a high level and provide upside as a screener will put him in contention for a spot with the franchise.
However, Golden State is being judicious with the talent it is adding, and there’s no telling which direction Mike Dunleavy and Joe Lacob are going to take when it comes to filling those final two spots.