Career Timeline of Dwight Howard: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Dwight Howard made an impact.

Dwight Howard, nicknamed "Superman", is a former American professional basketball player. He is an NBA champion, eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA Team selectee, five-time All-Defensive Team member, and three-time Defensive Player of the Year. Known for his athleticism and defensive capabilities, Howard established himself as a dominant center during his prime in the NBA.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2004: NBA Draft and Joining the Orlando Magic

In 2004, Dwight Howard chose to forgo college and entered the NBA draft. He was selected first overall by the Orlando Magic, beginning his professional basketball career.

2004: Drafted by the Orlando Magic

In 2004, Dwight Howard was selected first overall by the Orlando Magic in the NBA draft after foregoing college.

2004: Established the Dwight D. Howard Foundation

In 2004, Dwight Howard, along with his parents, established the Dwight D. Howard Foundation Inc. to contribute to philanthropy.

2005: Impactful Rookie Season

In 2005, Dwight Howard finished his rookie season averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds, setting several NBA records and being selected to the All-Rookie Team.

March 5, 2006: Howard Named to USA Basketball Team

On March 5, 2006, Dwight Howard was named to the 2006–2008 USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team program.

April 2, 2006: Guest Appearance on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

On April 2, 2006, Dwight Howard appeared as a special guest on an episode of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, assisting in the construction of a new home and ministry offices for Sadie Holmes.

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2006: Played All Regular-Season Games

In the 2006-07 season, Dwight Howard played in all 82 regular-season games for the third consecutive season.

February 1, 2007: First NBA All-Star Selection

On February 1, 2007, Dwight Howard received his first NBA All-Star selection as a reserve on the Eastern Conference squad for the 2007 NBA All-Star Game.

December 2007: Named Most Dominant Center in the NBA by ESPN

In December 2007, ESPN writer David Thorpe declared Dwight Howard the most dominant center in the NBA, highlighting his early career potential.

2007: Slam Dunk Contest Performance

In 2007 Slam Dunk Contest, Dwight Howard completed an alley oop dunk from Jameer Nelson while slapping a sticker onto the backboard at 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) high. The sticker showed an image of his own smiling face with a handwritten "All things through Christ Phil: 4:13", a paraphrase of Philippians 4:13.

2007: Impressive Stats and Team Success

In the 2007-08 season, Dwight Howard helped the Magic have their best season to date, earning a spot as a starter for the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

June 23, 2008: Named to the 2008 Olympic Team

On June 23, 2008, Dwight Howard was named to the 12-man squad representing the United States in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

2008: League Leader in Blocks

In the 2008-09 season, Dwight Howard started strong, leading the league in blocks per game early in the season.

November 2009: Finalist for Jefferson Awards for Public Service

In November 2009, Dwight Howard was named one of the 10 finalists for the Jefferson Awards for Public Service, which recognizes athletes for their charitable work.

2009: Praised for Defensive Abilities in 2009 NBA Playoffs

After a game in the 2009 NBA Playoffs, Philadelphia 76ers swingman Andre Iguodala praised Dwight Howard's defensive abilities, noting his capacity to guard multiple players simultaneously.

2009: NBA Finals Appearance and Defensive Player of the Year

In 2009, Dwight Howard led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, marking significant achievements in his career.

2009: Leading Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals

In 2009, Dwight Howard led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals, marking a significant achievement in his career with the team.

2009: Strong Start and Playoff Run

In the 2009-10 season, the Magic had a strong start, winning 17 of their first 21 games. Howard also won the Defensive Player of the Year Award for the second straight year.

2010: NBA Rebounding Leader

From 2007 to 2010, Dwight Howard led the NBA in rebounding. His rebounding ability was partly due to his extraordinary athleticism.

2011: Career Highs and Playoff Loss

In 2011, Dwight Howard posted career highs in points and field goal percentage, but the Magic lost to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

March 15, 2012: Waiving Opt-Out Right

On March 15, 2012, Dwight Howard waived his right to opt out of his contract and committed to stay with the Magic through the 2012–13 season, amid trade requests and team management issues.

August 10, 2012: Howard Traded to the Los Angeles Lakers

On August 10, 2012, Dwight Howard was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal involving the Philadelphia 76ers and the Denver Nuggets. Howard had limited preparation due to back surgery recovery.

2012: Contract Extension

Following a breakout campaign, Dwight Howard signed a five-year, $80 million contract extension that would keep him in Orlando through the 2012-13 season.

2012: NBA Rebounding Leader

From 2012 to 2013, Dwight Howard led the NBA in rebounding. His rebounding ability was partly due to his extraordinary athleticism.

2012: Trade to the Los Angeles Lakers

In 2012, after playing eight seasons with the Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, starting a new chapter in his NBA career.

July 13, 2013: Howard Signs with the Houston Rockets

On July 13, 2013, Dwight Howard signed a four-year, $88 million contract with the Houston Rockets. He teamed up with James Harden to form a formidable duo.

2013: NBA Rebounding Leader

From 2012 to 2013, Dwight Howard led the NBA in rebounding. His rebounding ability was partly due to his extraordinary athleticism.

2014: Rockets Eliminated from Playoffs

During the 2014 playoffs, Dwight Howard averaged 26 points and 13.7 rebounds per game. However, the Rockets were eliminated in the first round by the Portland Trail Blazers, losing the series 4–2.

2014: Howard Deals With Injuries During the 2014-15 Season

In the 2014-15 season, Dwight Howard missed several games due to a strained right knee and persistent issues with it. He returned to action on December 13 against the Denver Nuggets, recording his 10,000th career rebound, and again on March 25 against the New Orleans Pelicans after further setbacks. He played only 41 regular season games. Despite Howard's limited play, the Rockets clinched their first division title in over 20 years and reached the Western Conference Finals, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors.

November 4, 2015: Howard's Performance Against Orlando Magic

On November 4, 2015, Dwight Howard scored 23 points and grabbed 14 rebounds against the Orlando Magic. He made all 10 of his field goal attempts, becoming the first Rocket since Yao Ming in 2009 to achieve this feat.

January 18, 2016: Howard Ties Career High in Rebounds

On January 18, 2016, during an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Dwight Howard scored 36 points and tied his career high with 26 rebounds. This performance marked his 10th consecutive double-double, the longest active streak in the league at that time, and his longest streak since 2012–13.

June 22, 2016: Howard Declines Player Option

On June 22, 2016, Dwight Howard declined his $23 million player option for the 2016–17 season, making him an unrestricted free agent.

July 12, 2016: Howard Signs with Atlanta Hawks

On July 12, 2016, Dwight Howard signed a three-year, $70 million contract with his hometown team, the Atlanta Hawks.

June 20, 2017: Hawks Trade Howard to Hornets

On June 20, 2017, the Atlanta Hawks traded Dwight Howard, along with the 31st overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Marco Belinelli, Miles Plumlee and the 41st overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft.

July 6, 2018: Howard Traded to and Waived by Nets

On July 6, 2018, Dwight Howard was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Timofey Mozgov, the draft rights to Hamidou Diallo, a 2021 second-round draft pick, and cash considerations. He was waived by the Nets immediately after being acquired.

July 12, 2018: Howard Signs with Wizards

On July 12, 2018, Dwight Howard signed a two-year, $10.9 million contract with the Washington Wizards.

April 18, 2019: Howard Exercises Player Option

On April 18, 2019, Dwight Howard exercised his $5.6 million player option to play a second season with the Washington Wizards.

July 6, 2019: Howard Traded to Grizzlies

On July 6, 2019, Dwight Howard was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for forward C. J. Miles.

August 24, 2019: Howard Waived by Grizzlies

On August 24, 2019, Dwight Howard was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies.

August 26, 2019: Howard Re-Signs with Lakers

On August 26, 2019, Dwight Howard signed a $2.6 million veteran's minimum contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, reuniting with his former team. He replaced DeMarcus Cousins, who was injured. Howard offered to sign a non-guaranteed contract to demonstrate his commitment.

2019: Lakers warned Howard about behavior

When the Lakers signed Dwight Howard in 2019, the team reportedly warned him that he would be dismissed if he engaged in any "tomfoolery or shenanigans."

January 13, 2020: Howard Scores Season High

On January 13, 2020, Dwight Howard scored a season-high 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting and had a season-high 15 rebounds.

November 21, 2020: Howard Signs with 76ers

On November 21, 2020, Dwight Howard signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers for $2,564,753.

2020: NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers

In 2020, Dwight Howard won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, marking a significant accomplishment in his career.

August 6, 2021: Howard Signs with Lakers Again

On August 6, 2021, Dwight Howard signed a $2.6 million veteran's minimum contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

2021: Signing with the Taoyuan Leopards

In 2021, after the NBA season, Dwight Howard moved overseas and signed with the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League, marking a new phase in his basketball career.

November 7, 2022: Howard Signs with Taoyuan Leopards

On November 7, 2022, Dwight Howard signed with the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League in Taiwan.

2022: Charitable Auction on 37th Birthday

On his 37th birthday in 2022, Dwight Howard raised over NT$3 million (US$97,969) with a charitable auction, featuring collectible jerseys and pairs of shoes worn by Howard. Beneficiaries included CountryEDU Charity Foundation and the Good Shepherd Social Welfare foundation.

February 2023: Howard Named All-Star in T1 League

In February 2023, Dwight Howard was named an All-Star and All-Star Game Most Famous Player for the T1 League. He also participated in the Three-Point Contest.