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Summary

The Lakers were Howard's fifth team in the last five season, but it looks like fifth time was the charm for the former All-NBA center. After spending years bouncing around and struggling to adjust his game as he ages into his post-prime, Howard finally seems to understand his role. Howard has been great for the Lakers this season, as he has protected the rim on defense, finished well at the rim on offense, and rebounded well.

 

While injuries and age have robbed Howard of his athleticism that allowed him to dominate early in his career, he has shown this season that he can be a solid role player. After looking like his career was almost over, Howard has bought himself some time, and earned himself some money, with his play this season.

Cap Considerations

Howard will be an unrestricted free agent with a $1.6 million cap hold and Non-Bird Rights. This means that the highest starting salary the Lakers could offer him using the Non-Bird Exception is $3.1 million. This could be enough to retain Howard, since he settled for the minimum of $2.6 million to come to Los Angeles. Alternatively, the Lakers could use their Mid-Level Exception or Bi-Annual Exception to re-sign Howard if he demands more than $3.1 million.

 

Other teams will have multiple ways to sign Howard as even teams without cap space could possibly use any of the Non-Taxpayer, Taxpayer, or Room Mid-Level Exceptions to sign him. Since he signed a minimum contract last offseason, teams will hope to get him at the minimum this offseason too.

Potential Teams: Lakers, Suns, Bulls, Mavericks, Timberwolves

Predicted Contract: 1-year, $3.1 million with the Lakers

Actual Contract: 1-year, $2.6 million ($1.6 million cap hit) with the 76ers

There was some mixed reporting about if the Lakers actually offered him the full amount allowed using Non-Bird rights, but either way, Howard ended up settling for the minimum with Philadelphia.

Last updated: 12/31/2020

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