In the summer of 2019, future Hall of Fame center Dwight Howard was seemingly down and out. Despite being a former three-time Defensive Player of the Year, he was a free agent and no team seemingly wanted him after his reputation had taken a nosedive.

The Los Angeles Lakers needed a backup center, and so they reached out to Howard with a proposal — accept a reduced role off the bench and don't cause problems. Howard, who had a previous stint with the team in the 2012-13 season that ended in disappointment, said yes, and he played a key role in it winning the 2020 NBA championship.

He wanted to return the next season, but there was seemingly a miscommunication between him and the Lakers, and he instead signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. On a recent podcast appearance, Howard sat down with controlling owner Jeanie Buss and discussed what happened during that 2020 offseason. He said the Lakers didn't have an offer for him; Buss disagreed.

Ultimately, Howard feels his agent lied to him about the whole situation (h/t Lakers Daily).

Howard's story with the Lakers during that 2019-20 season was one of redemption. After his first stint with the Lakers, during which he didn't get along very well with Kobe Bryant, he developed a reputation as a me-first prima donna who wasn't committed to his craft or his team. He busted that narrative by embracing his role off the bench and even becoming something of a cheerleader for his teammates.

He eventually returned to the Lakers for the 2021-22 season, but by then, it was evident he had little, if any, game left.

Howard has since been playing overseas in Southeast Asia since then. In that podcast appearance, he pleaded with Buss to give him one more chance and let him come back to the Purple and Gold for yet another stint.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Dwight Howard, Jeanie Buss on why Howard didn't return the to Lakers