The Hawks have signed Dwight Howard and the eight-time All-Star will be officially introduced their new center on Wednesday.
The Hawks had scheduled a morning news conference Wednesday to make a “major announcement.” They will present both Kent Bazemore and Howard at the William Walker Recreation Center in Atlanta.
Bazemore agreed to a four-year, $70 million contract to return to the Hawks, and Howard has signed a three-year, $70.5 million deal to join his hometown team as unrestricted free agents last week.
“I am humbled and honored to be an Atlanta Hawk and to represent our city,”Howard said in a statement. “This opportunity is a dream come true and a blessing for me and my family. I look forward to pouring my heart out every night for this city, my teammates and the fans.”
The Hawks organization recently refurbished the basketball court at the William Walker Recreation Center. Howard played there as a youngster growing up in Atlanta. The Hawks could announce the signing of Howard on Tuesday or Wednesday before the event. Howard is from Atlanta and played at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy before he was the No. 1 overall pick by the Magic in the 2004 NBA Draft.
“We would like to welcome Dwight, and his family, home to Atlanta and into our Hawks basketball family,” Hawks president of basketball operations/head coach Mike Budenholzer said in a statement. “We feel Dwight will have a huge impact on both ends of the court with his physical presence and the force he brings to the game. We also look forward to his impact in our community as we all look to take Atlanta to another level on the court and off. We feel very fortunate to add a player of Dwight’s caliber and we look forward to assimilating Dwight into our team.”
Howard could reveal his NBA TV last week from the Las Vegas Summer League that he will depart from the No. 12 he has worn his entire career. Howard said the new number would be biblical and hold deep meaning to him.
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