Dwight Howard, the basketball center, might be in a dilemma. What is better? To enter the League of the Greats or get another chance to adorn the Lakers’ jersey! The former Lakers player had long waited for his chance to get back into the NBA, but somehow it did not work out. He hasn’t even officially declared his retirement! However, for the first time, his name was on the ballot. Guess what ballot? The Hall of Fame! And DHoward is officially all set to be bestowed with the Hall of Fame honor! But this might end his hope to come back to the NBA, the champ’s long-held wish. And fans called out Rob Pelinka amidst the crisis in the Lakers.

The Hall of Fame will officially announce its full list of inductees on April 5 during the NCAA Tournament in San Antonio. But quick to leak, A Lakers fan page, LakeshowYo, shared, “Dwight Howard is a 2025 Hall-of-Fame finalist.” At first, Howard’s nomination for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025 was a bit surprising, considering the 8x NBA All-Star’s interest in making a comeback in the league. Are doors closed for him to return? We will see.

When Howard couldn’t get a spot in 2022, Howard went on to play for the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League in Taiwan. Of course, you can’t keep basketball away from Howard. And as expected, he has continued to showcase his talent in international leagues. So, when nominations were announced, Howard also raised the same question, but he embraced the honor.

“I’m not retired yet but I’ll take it, I’m extremely grateful I just pray they don’t do me like they did the last list,“ Howard wrote on X last December. However, fans have continued to urge Howard to join the Lakers, as the team needs an efficient center. This sentiment has grown even stronger after the Lakers’ recent trade fell through. This led fans to indirectly address the Lakers GM Pelinka. But will he listen?

Fans urge Hall of Fame finalist to return to action

Fans have long been urging the former Lakers player to return. But he is helpless unless the front office generates interest. In an X post, he even asked fans to stop tagging him. This came after the Lakers finally chose to trade rookie Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish to bring in Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets. But many prefer Howard. One wrote, “Cmon Rob .. it’s time,” urging the boss to look back at their own man. But he isn’t convinced, it seems. 

Howard had even once expressed his dissatisfaction on the Above the Rim podcast on how Pelinka made changes in the Lakers’ NBA championship-winning roster.

“Welp there goes our chance to sign him,” another fan wrote. It was quite a shock for Lakers fans and veterans when the Lakers decided to rescind the trade involving the Charlotte Hornets star. The Lakers need a center, and Williams would have been the perfect fit for the team. Unfortunately, it didn’t go well. And again, the fans are now in a desperate urge and are calling for the big man to join. Many believe the 3x DPOY will tackle the task like before. One of them recalls, “lakers legend 💪🏻 wouldn’t have won in 2020 without em.” 

But why is everybody missing him? There are reasons. Back in 2020, Howard was an important piece, playing alongside Anthony Davis to lead the Lakers to a championship. It is his merits that drag the urge. Though rules do not let it, fans are hopeful of the loopholes. A desperate loyalist wrote, “He’ll make it. Basketball Hall of fame isn’t as strict at Baseball.” That is quite a big claim! Well, it’s tough to say whether the Los Angeles Lakers will make a move, but it’s even more unlikely for Howard to return.