LAS VEGAS — Dwight Howard was preparing for a Saturday morning flight to Las Vegas to meet up with his team, the . By Friday night, he no longer had a team to call his own.
The Wizards agreed to trade Howard to Memphis for veteran sharpshooter C.J. Miles, according to several people with knowledge of the transaction. The deal allows the Wizards to add another wing capable of playing either shooting guard or small forward, addressing a major roster need. The move also ends Howard’s brief stint in Washington, his fourth team in as many years, after playing just nine games in a Wizards uniform and undergoing season-ending spinal surgery in November.
Where, and when, Howard plays again is in question – the Grizzlies are expected to waive Howard and save about $3.1 million in payroll.
Howard was due to make $5.6 million next season; Miles is due about $8.7 million.
Miles, 32, averaged 6.4 points last season, splitting his time with Toronto and Memphis. The Raptors moved him to Memphis in February as part of the Marc Gasol trade.
For Howard, 33, the trade marks another detour in a career that once looked like it could be among the most dominant in the league. Howard has played in eight all-star games. He averaged 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds in his brief stint as a Wizard.
Around this time last year, the Wizards signed Howard to a two-year contract with a player option for the 2019-20 season. However, Howard came to training camp with a back injury that endured for weeks.
After the surgery, Howard returned to Washington in late February to work with the team’s player development staff after spending the first three months of his recovery in his hometown of Atlanta. Less than a month later, Howard tweaked his hamstring during one of the drills and did not return to the court again.
Although Howard received praise from Coach Scott Brooks for his positive attitude, the team clearly intended to move on from the former superstar. Besides the injury, Howard dealt with off-court drama. During the season, a man alleged that Howard had threatened him to not reveal details of their relationship. In March, the man, Masin Elije, filed a lawsuit against Howard.
Howard has spent the offseason in Atlanta, training and returning to shape. He had lost 20 pounds and recently told a podcast that he was preparing for his 16th season.
“Man, my body feels amazing. I’ve been in the gym the last couple of months, trying to get my body right. I feel good, man,” Howard said. “My legs are back up under me. Now it’s just about getting the strength to play an 82-game season.”
