Howard officially signs with Wizards

The days of waiting for an “athletic big” are over.

On Thursday morning, the Washington Wizards announced the signing of centre Dwight Howard and, with this act, their roster and locker-room have officially become one of the most intriguing story lines of the 2018-19 National Basketball Association season.

Howard, 32, joins the Wizards for one season. After the conclusion of the season, he has an option to return or seek a new team in free agency.

As the most decorated centre the team has employed in years. Howard has earned eight all-star appearances and won the defensive player of the year award in three consecutive years from 2009 to ’11.

On the flip side, as the big man era has faded, Howard has been passed around the league. Washington will become his fourth team he has played on in the past four seasons. Along the way, Howard has bumped heads with superstar teammates Kobe Bryant and James Harden and his former point guard, Dennis Schroder of the Atlanta Hawks, questioned his effort level on a nightly basis, saying, “He plays always great against his former team ... but that’s like four games each year, you know?”

Howard still appealed to the Wizards, who expect him to complete the starting lineup as the athletic player they’ve been searching for since last season.

“Dwight has been known throughout his career as one of the league’s best defenders, said team president Ernie Grunfeld.