Howard: Games not needed now
Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard is uncertain about joining the team in Orlando for the restart of the 2019-20 season, general manager Rob Pelinka said Tuesday.
Pelinka said the mother of one of Howard’s children passed away recently, adding another taxing element to Howard’s decision.
In a Zoom videoconference with reporters, Pelinka said Howard is working through his concerns and discussing options with his agent.
Players were required to give teams formal notice of extenuating circumstances and declare whether they planned to opt out of games, and Howard did not do so, Pelinka said.
In addition to the family matter, Howard made a strong statement in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death in police custody in Minneapolis saying basketball was not a priority.
Howard told CNN that now is not the time for games. He said the Black community must put itself first now.
“Basketball, or entertainment period, isn’t needed at this moment, and will only be a distraction,” Howard’s lengthy statement began.
“I would love nothing more than to win my very first NBA Championship. But the unity of My People would be an even bigger Championship, that’s just too beautiful to pass up. What better time than now for us to be focusing on our families?