There was a time years ago when Los Angeles Lakers fans strongly disliked Dwight Howard. He was traded to the team just prior to the 2012-13 season, and after that supposed superteam of Howard, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Steve Nash got swept in the first round of the playoffs, Howard left as a free agent amidst a strained relationship with Bryant.

He returned for the 2019-20 season with his reputation at a nadir, but he embraced a lesser role off the bench and helped L.A. win the NBA championship. Howard left again as a free agent that offseason before coming back for a third stint during the 2021-22 campaign.

It appears he still wants to suit up for the Purple and Gold, even at the age of 38. He implied to the New York Post that he would like a fourth stint with the team.

Via New York Post:

On Friday evening, Howard was in attendance at Crypto.com Arena as his former team overcame a 22-point deficit to defeat the Phoenix Suns, 123-116.

Howard recently talked to Lakers controlling owner Jeanie Buss about his bewildering departure during the 2020 offseason, and during that conversation, he asked Buss to give him "one more chance."

As much as the future Hall of Famer may want to return, it seems like he doesn't have any real game left. He spent the last two years playing pro ball in Southeast Asia, and in his final season with L.A., it was clear that his ability to defend and protect the rim had significantly declined.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Dwight Howard may still be angling for a return to the Lakers