The Los Angeles Lakers had decisions to make on multiple players who helped the team win the 2020 NBA championship. One of those was big man Dwight Howard who was one of the biggest redemption stories of the entire NBA and played a crucial role during the playoffs.
After joining the team on a non-guaranteed deal and producing a great season under any role asked of him, Howard rightfully believed he earned himself a normal NBA contract. The Lakers were surely interested in his return but there were reportedly other teams in the picture as well.