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Howard had reportedly been undecided about
playing due to several circumstances.
The mother of his six-year-old son died in March following an
epileptic seizure. Howard has also been one of the NBA's most
outspoken players about the social responsibilities the league's
players have in the aftermath of George Floyd's death.
Howard said in an interview with CNN's Don Lemon on Monday night
that he will play with the Lakers when the season resumes at the
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando on July 30.
Currently in Georgia, Howard said he will donate his salary to
help "push this 'Breathe Again' movement."
"I feel like we have a great opportunity, the Lakers do, to win
the title this year," Howard said. "Yes, I will be joining my
team in Orlando, but during that time, we will begin a lot of
work here in Atlanta and around the nation as far as making sure
people don't forget about us and what's going on in our
communities."
Lakers coach Frank Vogel said last week that the team did not
plan to replace Howard on the roster.
"We've been in communication with Dwight the whole way," Vogel
said on July 1, the deadline for teams to add veterans with more
than three years of NBA experience. "We don't know what the
level of participation is yet. He wants to play. We're hopeful
he's able to join us. We're hopeful and optimistic that he'll be
able to join us in Orlando."
The Lakers will be without point guard Avery Bradley, who has
opted out of playing the remainder of the season to stay with
his family and focus on community issues.
Howard issued a statement to CNN last month that read,
"Basketball, or entertainment period, isn't needed at this
moment, and will only be a distraction. Sure, it might not
distract us the players, but we have resources at hand a
majority of our community don't have. And the smallest
distraction for them can start a trickle-down effect that may
never stop.
"Especially with the way the climate is now. I would love
nothing more than to win my very first NBA Championship. But the
unity of My People would be an even bigger Championship, that's
just too beautiful to pass up. What better time than now for us
to be focusing on our families?"
Howard, 34, is averaging 7.5 points and 7.4 rebounds in 19.2
minutes per game for the Lakers this season. He had made two
starts in 62 appearances.
The eight-time All-Star is on his fifth NBA team in the past
five seasons.
--Field Level Media
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