Dwight Howard Makes European Debut as Lakers Weigh Center Options

At 40, former NBA champion Dwight Howard has resumed competitive basketball in Georgia, recording 12 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in his European debut for Black Fortress Tbilisi on Friday. His performance in a 75-70 loss to BC Iverioni has also prompted discussion about potential frontcourt opportunities with the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers.

According to BasketNews, Howard played 17 minutes and made five of eight field-goal attempts. Black Fortress Tbilisi fell to 0-2 to open the 2026-27 season following the defeat in the Georgian Superleague.

Howard's performance has drawn attention because both former NBA teams face questions about their center rotations. The Philadelphia 76ers may need additional depth after backup center Ariel Hukporti suffered an Achilles tear, according to BasketNews, while discussion surrounding the Lakers has focused on their reserve center options.

Howard previously played for Philadelphia during the 2020-21 season, appearing in 69 games and averaging 7 points, 8.9 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in approximately 17 minutes per game. Serving as Joel Embiid's backup, he helped the 76ers reach the second round of the playoffs before they lost to the Atlanta Hawks in seven games. Howard averaged 4.7 points and 6.2 rebounds in approximately 12 minutes per game during that postseason.

Howard addressed Philadelphia directly in a social media post, writing, "Philly what we doing".

The Lakers have also entered the discussion because of concerns about their backup center position. Heavy.com reported that some Lakers fans have questioned whether Kevon Looney can provide reliable minutes behind Walker Kessler, whom the franchise acquired as its marquee offseason addition.

One listener of the Lakers Nation podcast expressed a preference for Howard as a short-term option, saying, "I have more confidence in a (40-year-old) Dwight for 10-12 mins (per game) than Looney."

Lakers Nation host and reporter Trevor Lane acknowledged Howard's recent performance but questioned whether the veteran could still compete at the NBA level. Lane cited Howard's age and apparent decline in explosiveness as reasons to doubt his prospects.

Lane said, "I know you may say you got more confidence in Dwight right now than Looney, it’s not that Dwight looks bad, I don’t think he looks nearly as explosive as he used to be in this footage, nor would I expect him to. Again, going-on 41 years old here. … I don’t have a lot of hope Dwight Howard is still an NBA level player."

Howard announced his move to Georgia in September after pursuing opportunities across several international basketball markets. Following his final NBA season with the Lakers in 2021-22, he played in Taiwan, the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Mongolia, and also appeared in a Dubai tournament and the American BIG3 league.

Before his European debut, Howard had announced his plans to join Black Fortress Tbilisi on social media, writing, "Georgia, here I come! I don't mean my hometown of Atlanta. Just wait for October, when we'll set the court on fire with Black Fortress,".

After his first game, Howard thanked supporters in Georgia and expressed confidence that his team would respond to the loss. He wrote, "Thank you everyone who came to the game today 🙏🏾 I really appreciate all the love and hospitality I've been experiencing here in Georgia🇬🇪 ❤️ You all are making me feel like I'm at home back in the other Georgia 😭 & to all my @black_fortress_tbilisi family just know we will be back stronger next week❗️#tbilisi🇬🇪 #tbilisilovesyou,".

Howard's NBA career began when the Orlando Magic selected him first overall in the 2004 draft after his high school career at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. He became an eight-time All-Star, earned five All-NBA selections and won Defensive Player of the Year three times, while leading the league in rebounds five times and blocks twice.

He led Orlando to the 2009 NBA Finals and won an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2020. During his NBA career, Howard also played for the Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards and 76ers, alongside three separate stints with Los Angeles.

Howard last played in the NBA during the 2021-22 season with the Lakers, averaging 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game. He announced his retirement in March 2026 before returning to competition and joining Black Fortress Tbilisi after his 2025 induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.