If you’re looking for a simple "yes" or "no" regarding whether Dwight Howard is retired, you’re going to be disappointed. It’s complicated. Like, "Facebook relationship status in 2010" complicated.
Most people assume the 3-time Defensive Player of the Year hung it up years ago. They remember the 2021-22 season with the Lakers and then... nothing. Silence. But if you've been paying attention to the fringes of the basketball world, you know Dwight doesn't do "quietly."
Here is the deal: Dwight Howard is officially retired from the NBA, but he is very much still a professional basketball player. In fact, 2025 was one of the busiest years of his life.
Is Dwight Howard Retired from the NBA?
Technically, the NBA door seems shut. Locked. Deadbolted. Dwight hasn't logged a single minute in the league since 2022. He spent the last few years essentially pleading for one last roster spot. He even offered to play for the veteran minimum just to help a contender with some rim protection.
It didn't happen.
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Instead, 2025 became the year of "The Hall." Dwight Howard was officially inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. When you’re giving an induction speech in Springfield, the league usually considers you "finished." During that speech, Dwight poured out enough gratitude to fill the Amway Center, basically acknowledging his 18-season NBA journey was over.
But here’s where it gets weird. Even after the Hall of Fame nod, Dwight was on X (formerly Twitter) responding to fans saying a comeback would be "fire." He’s still 10th on the all-time rebounding list, trailing Kevin Garnett by just 35 boards. You can tell that number eats at him.
The BIG3 Era and the Los Angeles Riot
If you want to see him play right now, you don't look at TNT or ESPN. You look at Ice Cube’s BIG3 league.
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In April 2025, NBA insider Chris Haynes dropped a bombshell: Dwight signed with the Los Angeles Riot. He wasn't just there for a paycheck; he actually balled out. Under head coach Nick "Swaggy P" Young, Dwight averaged about 14 points and 9 rebounds. He was an All-Star. He led the Riot to their first-ever playoff appearance.
The BIG3 marketing team originally labeled it his "final season of pro basketball." But Dwight being Dwight, he started dropping hints about "running it back" as soon as the season ended in August.
Life Outside the Paint
Honestly, Dwight’s "retirement" looks more like a career pivot into a media mogul. He’s not just sitting on a beach. He’s been busy:
- Talent Agency: He recently signed with Innovative Artists Entertainment to focus on acting and TV.
- Ownership: He owns a stake in a professional team over in Taiwan (the Mustangs).
- Podcast King: His show, Above the Rim with DH 12, is actually gaining some real traction.
He’s even been on Dancing With the Stars and The Masked Singer. The man is everywhere except an NBA starting lineup.
What Most Fans Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Dwight "can't play anymore." That’s nonsense. Even at 39 or 40, a 6'10" guy with his wingspan can still rebound and block shots better than half the backup centers in the league.
The real reason he’s "retired" isn't talent; it’s the way the NBA changed. The league moved toward "switchability" and "spacing." Traditional, back-to-the-basket bigs who can't shoot threes became relics. Dwight was the ultimate traditional big.
There’s also the locker room factor. Rightly or wrongly, Dwight carried a reputation for being "a lot" to handle. By the time he was willing to be a humble role player, the league had already moved on to younger, cheaper options.
The Verdict for 2026
So, is Dwight Howard retired?
In the eyes of the NBA: Yes. He’s a Hall of Famer now. His jersey will eventually hang in the rafters in Orlando.
In his own eyes: Maybe. He still keeps himself in "Superman" shape. If a contender lost their starting center to an ACL tear tomorrow, Dwight’s phone would be sitting right there on his nightstand, fully charged.
What You Should Do Next
- Follow the BIG3 Schedule: If you want to see him play, the BIG3 summer season is your only realistic shot.
- Check Out His Podcast: If you want the "unfiltered" Dwight, Above the Rim is where he actually addresses these comeback rumors.
- Watch the Hall of Fame Speech: If you want closure, watch his 2025 induction. It’s the closest thing to a formal retirement announcement we’ll ever get.
Dwight Howard didn't go out with a Kobe-style farewell tour. He faded into international leagues and 3-on-3 tournaments. It’s an unconventional ending for a guy who was once the most dominant force in basketball, but it’s uniquely Dwight.