Career Timeline of Dwight Howard: Major Achievements and Milestones

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

Dwight Howard is a former professional basketball player, known as "Superman" for his athleticism. He is an NBA champion, eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA Team selection, five-time All-Defensive Team member, and a three-time Defensive Player of the Year. He had a successful career marked by individual accolades and an NBA championship.

Sections (4)

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

1962: Broke Wilt Chamberlain's Record

In January 12, 2012, Howard broke Wilt Chamberlain's regular-season record of 34 attempted free throws set in 1962.

2004: Declared for NBA Draft

In 2004, Dwight Howard chose to forego college and declared for the NBA draft, where the Orlando Magic selected him first overall.

2004: Drafted by Orlando Magic

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

2004: Established Dwight D. Howard Foundation Inc.

In 2004, Dwight Howard, along with his parents, established the Dwight D. Howard Foundation Inc. to support philanthropic endeavors.

2004: Interrupted Gold Medal Streak

In the 2004 Olympics, the United States men's basketball team's streak of gold medals was interrupted.

2005: NBA Rookie Season

In 2005, during his rookie season, Dwight Howard averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds, setting several NBA records. He was also selected to play in the 2005 NBA Rookie Challenge and was unanimously 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.

2006: Sophomore Season

In 2006, Dwight Howard was selected to play on the Sophomore Team in the Rookie Challenge during the All-Star break, averaging 15.8 points and 12.5 rebounds per game.

2006: Played in All 82 Games

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

2007: Slam Dunk Contest

In 2007, Dwight Howard participated in the Slam Dunk Contest where he performed an alley oop dunk while adhering a sticker to the backboard.

2007: Impressive Numbers and Team Success

In the 2007-08 season, Howard continued posting impressive numbers and helped the Magic have their best season to date.

June 23, 2008: Named to Olympic Team

On June 23, 2008, Dwight Howard was selected as one of the twelve players to represent the United States at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

November 2009: Nomination for Jefferson Awards

In November 2009, Dwight Howard was named one of the 10 finalists for the Jefferson Awards for Public Service, recognizing his charitable work.

2009: NBA Playoffs Game

During a game in the 2009 NBA Playoffs, Andre Iguodala commented on Dwight Howard's defensive capabilities, stating he could guard two players simultaneously.

2009: NBA Finals with Orlando Magic

In 2009, Dwight Howard led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals.

2009: Defensive Player of the Year

In 2009, Dwight Howard was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the youngest player ever to win the award. The Magic also reached the NBA Finals, but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.

2009: Strong Start to the Season

In the 2009-10 season, the Magic got off to a strong start, winning 17 of their first 21 games and setting a franchise record.

2010: NBA Rebounding Leader

In 2010, Dwight Howard led the NBA in rebounding.

2011: Trade Demands

In 2011, with Dwight Howard eligible to become a free agent at the end of the season, he demanded a trade to the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, or Dallas Mavericks.

2011: Howard Asked to be Traded

Prior to March 15, 2012, Howard had asked to be traded to the New Jersey Nets. Had he not signed the amendment, the Magic were prepared to trade him to avoid losing him as a free agent.

January 12, 2012: Attempted Record Free Throws

On January 12, 2012, Dwight Howard attempted an NBA regular season record 39 free throws against the Golden State Warriors, making 21 of them and finishing with 45 points and 23 rebounds in the Magic's victory.

January 24, 2012: Magic's All-Time Scoring Leader

On January 24, 2012, Dwight Howard became the Magic's all-time scoring leader.

March 15, 2012: Waived Right to Opt Out of Contract

On March 15, 2012, Dwight Howard waived his right to opt out of his contract at the end of the season and committed to stay with the Magic through the 2012–13 season.

April 19, 2012: Howard to Undergo Back Surgery

On April 19, 2012, Dwight Howard's agent announced that Howard would have surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back, causing him to miss the remainder of the 2011–12 season and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

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.

2012: Contract Extension

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

2012: NBA Rebounding Leader

In 2012, Dwight Howard led the NBA in rebounding.

2012: Traded to Los Angeles Lakers

In 2012, Dwight Howard was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers after spending eight seasons with the Orlando Magic.

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, joining James Harden.

2013: NBA Rebounding Leader

In 2013, Dwight Howard led the NBA in rebounding.

November 4, 2015: Howard Scores 23 Points and 14 Rebounds

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

January 18, 2016: Howard Scores 36 Points and Ties Career High in Rebounds

On January 18, 2016, Dwight Howard scored 36 points and tied a career high with 26 rebounds in an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, marking his 10th consecutive double-double.

June 22, 2016: Howard Declines Player Option

On June 22, 2016, Dwight Howard declined his $23 million player option for the 2016–17 season, becoming 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: Howard Traded to Charlotte Hornets

On June 20, 2017, Dwight Howard was traded by the Atlanta Hawks, along with a draft pick, to the Charlotte Hornets for Marco Belinelli, Miles Plumlee and a draft pick.

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

On July 6, 2018, Dwight Howard was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, and was immediately waived by the team upon being acquired.

July 12, 2018: Howard Signs with Washington 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 with Wizards

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 Memphis 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 Los Angeles Lakers

On August 26, 2019, Dwight Howard signed a $2.6 million veteran's minimum contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, marking his return to the team.

January 13, 2020: Howard Scores Season-High 21 Points

On January 13, 2020, Dwight Howard scored a season-high 21 points with 9-of-11 shooting and secured a season-high 15 rebounds for the Los Angeles Lakers.

November 21, 2020: Howard Signs with Philadelphia 76ers

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

2020: NBA Championship with Los Angeles Lakers

In 2020, Dwight Howard won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.

August 6, 2021: Howard Signs with Los Angeles Lakers

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

2021: Signed with Taoyuan Leopards

After the 2021-22 NBA season, Dwight Howard moved overseas and signed with the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League.

November 7, 2022: Howard Joins 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) through a charitable auction benefiting CountryEDU Charity Foundation and the Good Shepherd Social Welfare foundation. He also visited schools to interact with students.