Report: Dwight Howard finalized buyout, will sign deal with Washington Wizards
After trading away center Marcin Gortat last week to the Los Angeles Clippers for guard Austin Rivers, the Washington Wizards are looking to fill a big hole in the paint.
And according to The Athletic’s Jared Weiss, the Wizards have found their man.
The Wizards have agreed to a one-year deal with center Dwight Howard, which will become official once he clears waivers on July 6, Weiss reported on Tuesday afternoon.
Dwight Howard has finalized a buyout with the Brooklyn Nets and will sign a 1-year deal for the tax MLE with the Washington Wizards once he clears waivers, league sources tell The Athletic.
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) July 3, 2018
Howard was traded to the Brooklyn Nets from the Charlotte Hornets ahead of last month’s NBA draft, but wants a buyout to become an unrestricted free agent. Once the trade is official on July 6, Howard and the Nets can make his buyout official so he can sign with the Wizards.
The eight-time All-Star is expected to step right into the starting lineup to replace Gortat, and could prove to be a powerful combination with Rivers and five-time All-Star point guard John Wall.
Howard averaged 16.6 points and 12.5 rebounds last season for the Hornets, his 14th in the league. The Wizards — who went 43-39 and fell in the opening round of the playoffs last season — will mark Howard’s fourth team in as many seasons.
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