Lakers

  All three players will return for repeat runs in L.A., including championships for Howard (2020) and Ariza (2009). From NBA.com News Services August 3, 2021 2:45 AM Dwight Howard was a key player on the Lakers’ championship team in 2019-20. Lakers took the first step towards restocking their depleted roster in the wake of the blockbuster Russell Westbrook deal, agreeing to contracts with veterans Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza and Wayne Ellington in the opening hours of free agency on Monday. All three have played for the Lakers before, with Howard (2020) and Ariza (2009) helping them boost their championship haul and Ellington serving for a single season in 2014-15. This will actually be Howard’s third stint in purple and gold, following his runs in 2012-13 and 2019-20. He served as a key reserve for the Lakers during their most recent championship in support of superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. With the Lakers agreeing to send Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and M...