The last time the Los Angeles Lakers won an NBA championship was in 2020. With the world grappling with the pandemic, it was a unique and challenging time, but the Lakers seized the moment and emerged as champions. At the heart of that success was future Hall of Famer Dwight Howard, who played alongside LeBron James. However, following that victory, Howard’s relationship with the team took an unexpected turn.
Despite the energy he brought to the court, his strong on-court chemistry with LeBron, and his valuable contributions to the team, Howard moved to the Philadelphia 76ers the following season. The reasons behind his departure sparked numerous rumors, but Howard has now opened up about the real reason for his exit.
In a recent episode of his podcast About The Rim with DH12, Howard shared the story behind his departure after securing the championship. According to Howard, it wasn’t his performance that led to the breakup; rather, it was a confrontation during a game involving LeBron.
“It happened after we won the championship,” Howard recalled. “We were on defense, and I said, ‘Yo, you got to get back.’ LeBron got upset because of what I said, and I told him, ‘Yo, stop acting like a b***, man.’“ This exchange, Howard revealed, was the catalyst for his exit from Los Angeles in 2020.
Howard’s feelings regarding the Lakers decision
Back in 2024, former Lakers player Dwight Howard opened up about his relationship with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss during an episode of his podcast. Reflecting on the decision that led to his departure, Howard shared that he asked Buss for another opportunity, and she granted it to him in 2022.
However, after being let go by the Lakers, Howard expressed feelings of hurt over the situation. “I was hurt because I felt like the team we had was going to come back together,” Howard explained. “I thought I had done something wrong, and JaVale [McGee] as well. I wish we could’ve had the chance to run it back.”
At the time, Howard had expected a strong final season with the Lakers in 2022, but that opportunity never came to fruition. After leaving the team, he went on to play in another league before ultimately deciding to retire from professional basketball.
Howard’s induction to the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame
In recent days, Howard received some exciting news from the Orlando Magic, as the franchise announced his upcoming induction into their Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions during his early years with the team. The ceremony will take place at the end of March, marking a special moment for both Howard and the organization.
During his time with the Magic from 2004 to 2012, Howard played 621 games, averaging 18.4 points and 13 rebounds per game. He also led the team to five playoff appearances during his tenure.