While fans still wonder if Dwight Howard has officially hung up his sneakers, the man himself is clearly not slowing down. Since parting ways with the Lakers in 2020, Howard has hopped across continents—hooping in Taiwan with the Taoyuan Leopards, making a brief splash in The Basketball Tournament with the Mavericks, and even being listed in Puerto Rico’s pro league, though he never suited up. And now, with a confirmed first-ballot Hall of Fame nod, you’d think he’d be settling into retirement. But nope, Dwight’s chasing a new path—one that’s sparked a bit of doubt from his peers.

That said, the 38-year-old just made it official—he’s joining the Big 3. “I am extremely excited to be joining @thebig3 can’t wait to show yall the REAL Dwight from SACA 🔥➡,” he posted on X. Still, not everyone’s sold. On the Club 520 Podcast, Jeff Teague chimed in, “I think it’d be a good thing. I just want to know if he’s going, if he’s playing for real or if Dwight Howard going to be shooting threes and s—… I need you to score all the points.” Fair ask—are we getting the old-school “Superman” or the showboating version?

Even so, Teague didn’t write him off completely. “It’s Christmas out there with Dwight. He should get out there and really play for real. He’s going to average, he’s going to be the MVP of the league,” he added. However, while eyes are on his Big 3 debut, Howard’s already focused on his real dream: the Asian Tournament.

Meanwhile, that dream’s already taking shape. The Asian Tournament recently dropped a clip on Instagram titled, “Four minutes of DWIGHT HOWARD dropping basketball wisdom.” In it, Howard was seen teaching centers across the globe—how to defend the paint—demonstrating post moves, rim protection, and how to snatch the ball from a cutting attacker. A center has to be “quick” and “smart” he said.

On top of that, Dwight’s not building this alone. Last year, he shot his shot, recruiting Ja Morant and Chris Paul. They passed, but he still bagged DeMarcus Cousins and Quinn Cook. Not only that, recently, Howard arranged another project to boost his post-NBA ambitions.

What’s Dwight Howard really building after the NBA?

Ever since his NBA chapter closed, Dwight Howard hasn’t just been globe-trotting for gigs—he’s been planting seeds. After joining the Taiwan Mustangs last May and clinching the championship, the 2020 NBA champ made an even bolder move by stepping in as co-owner of The Asian Tournament. But this wasn’t some spontaneous idea.

“Man, I’m going to start my OWN league one day where former NBA players, top college recruits, & elite international players can still get a stage to showcase to the world how great they are,” he once told a friend. That friend thought he was dreaming. “He looked at me crazy but one day is NOW!” Howard said—and now it’s happening.

Now, he’s opening that same door for others. Just recently, Howard hit Instagram with an exciting call: “If you want the chance to earn a pro contract, come on out to @theasiantournament PRO TRYOUT IN ATLANTA HOSTED BY DWIGHT HOWARD, TAT AND SHOOT360 🔥🔥.” The two-day event happened on April 12-13, 2025, in Atlanta.

So what’s on the line? Two full-season pro contracts, plus two 10-day deals. Scouts will be watching, and every play will be broadcast to teams and agents around the world. Howard was right there, alongside Sebastian Telfair and Andray Blatche, scouting the next breakout star.

Is Howard’s post-NBA plan going to be successful? What do you think?