Howard officially signs with Lakers, will reportedly wear No. 39
Dwight Howard's back in Los Angeles with a new number.
The Lakers announced Monday that they've officially signed Howard, according to the Los Angeles Times' Tania Ganguli. Howard will reportedly wear No. 39, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Our NBA Insider @ShamsCharania reports Dwight Howard will wear No. 39 next season in his return to the Lakers.
— Stadium (@Stadium) August 26, 2019
First look: pic.twitter.com/RnyjRchwKp
No player in the franchise's storied history has ever worn No. 39, according to Basketball Reference.
The Lakers reportedly plan to hold Howard accountable with his new deal. His contract contains zero salary protection and will pay him $14,490 each day he remains on the roster, beginning Oct. 21, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.
Los Angeles warned Howard that the team will let him go if he proves to be a distraction, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Howard has worn Nos. 8, 12, and 21 during his 15-year career in the NBA. He wore No. 12 during his first stint with the Lakers in 2012-13, though it currently belongs to summer signing Devontae Cacok.
The 33-year-old Howard wore Nos. 8 and 21 with the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards, respectively. The former number was retired by the Lakers in honor of Kobe Bryant, while the latter currently belongs to guard Zach Norvell Jr.
To make room for Howard, the Lakers waived forward Aric Holman.