Dwight Howard has officially rejoined the Los Angeles Lakers six years after his acrimonious departure.
The eight-time All-Star center and 15-year NBA veteran agreed to a contract with the Lakers on Monday. The non-guaranteed deal comes with a stern caveat from the Lakers that if Howard disrupts the team, he will be gone, league sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Howard led the NBA in rebounding while spending the 2012-13 season with the Lakers, but he clashed with Kobe Bryant and subsequently spurned Los Angeles as a free agent. He bounced to six franchises after his departure, and the Lakers haven’t made the playoffs since.
Howard played nine games with Washington last season.
Howard will take over the role expected to be filled by DeMarcus Cousins, who tore the ACL in his left knee after signing with the Lakers last month. Howard will team with JaVale McGee and Anthony Davis to play center for Los Angeles.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.