The Dwight Howard era in the District is over.
The Washington Wizards have traded Howard to the Memphis Grizzlies in a deal that netted them swingman C.J. Miles, multiple reports said Friday evening.
The center only appeared in nine games for the Wizards in 2018-19, the only season he played for the team. A gluteal injury that required surgery forced Howard, 33, to miss most of the season.
The Athletic reported that Memphis planned to waive Howard:
The Memphis Grizzlies are planning to waive eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 6, 2019
After launching his career as a perennial All-Star with the Orlando Magic, Howard’s career has featured several twists and turns, from one ill-fated season with the Los Angeles Lakers to an equally unmemorable stint with the Houston Rockets and an attempted career re-boot with Atlanta and Charlotte.
Miles split time last year with Toronto and Memphis, as he was part of the trade that sent Marc Gasol to the eventual NBA champion Raptors. Miles, now 32, finished the year averaging 6.2 points per game, his lowest mark since 2007-08.
This trade is the latest in a series of moves the Wizards have made this offseason in an attempt to recoup assets and move toward a rebuild, all while retaining Bradley Beal. Among other moves, Washington sent Tomas Satoransky to the Chicago Bulls in a sign-and-trade and joined the blockbuster Anthony Davis deal to take three rotation players off the Lakers’ hands.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.