While Howard didn’t have a response to that Durant joke at the time, he did have one when he posted this. As of now, there’s no doubt that the fourteen-time All-Star will be remembered for his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors when he leaves the game, and not the Suns.

Durant still has a chance to change that, but the same can’t be said for Howard and the Lakers. He will be remembered for his time with the Orlando Magic.

Howard was drafted with the first pick of the 2004 NBA Draft by the Magic and spent the first eight seasons of his career with the franchise. During that time, he won the Defensive Player of the Year award three times and made six All-Star teams.

As for Howard’s time with the Lakers, it was a bit of a mixed bag. He had three separate stints with the franchise and two of them were not good, to say the least.

Howard was traded to the Lakers before the 2012-13 season and was brought in to form a formidable partnership with Kobe Bryant. However, the two never really got along, and the great man left free after that campaign.

Howard was a pretty hated figure in Los Angeles after that, but managed to win the city over in his second stint. He returned to the Lakers in 2019-20 and helped them win the championship that season.

Howard left on a free after that triumph, but was back with the team for the 2021-2022 season. It turned out to be a miserable campaign for the Lakers, as they missed the playoffs and the big man didn’t make much of an impact. Howard was fired after the season and has been out of the league ever since.

So even though Howard won the only championship of his NBA career with the Lakers, it’s safe to say he will always be remembered for his days with the Magic. To his credit, he understands that too. As for why Howard was at this match, it turns out it was because of his Dancing with the stars partner Daniella Karagach had never been to an NBA game.

“Daniella said she’s never been to a basketball game, so I said COME ON.”

Howard and Karagach witnessed the Lakers pull off an impressive comeback victory. They trailed the Suns by as many as 22 points, but stormed back to win 123-116. Durant had 30 points, four rebounds, six assists and one block in the game, but couldn’t help the Suns keep the Lakers at bay.

Dwight Howard is open to returning to the Lakers

Howard has made it abundantly clear lately that he still wants to play in the NBA. The 38-year-old recently told the New York Post that he certainly wouldn’t be against reuniting with the Lakers either.

“I would definitely go back to the Lakers,” Howard said.

Karagach stated that she is getting Howard in shape for a return to the court with their dancing. However, I don’t think the Lakers are interested in a reunion.

During Howard’s final season with the Lakers, it became clear that he is no longer an influential player in the NBA. He certainly lost that battle with Father Time and that’s why no team has shown much interest in bringing him on board.