Reports: Wizards trade C Howard to Grizzlies

The Washington Wizards dealt Dwight Howard to the Grizzlies on Friday, and Memphis intends to trade or waive the veteran centre, according to The Athletics' Shams Charania and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The Grizzlies will send swingman C.J. Miles to Washington in the deal, which will result in them saving a net $3.1 million, Wojnarowski reported.

Howard, 33, is under contract for $5.6 million in 2019-20 after picking up his player option. He appeared in just nine games for Washington last season, averaging 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds, before he was sidelined due to a glute injury. Howard underwent a season-ending lumbar microdiscectomy in November with the intention of relieving his glute nerve pain.

In a 15-season NBA career that has seen him play for the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets and Washington, Howard is an eight-time All-Star and a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. In 1,044 career games, all but one of them as a starter, he is averaging 17.4 points, 12.6 rebounds and two blocked shots.

Miles, 32, split last season between the Toronto Raptors and the Grizzlies, producing averages of 6.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 53 games (one start). He has played for the Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indians Pacers, Toronto and Memphis, averaging 9.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 838 games (303 starts).

In a separate move Friday, the Grizzlies waived guard Avery Bradley, according to The Athletic's David Aldridge. After spending the first seven years of career in Boston, Bradley has been moved midseason the past two years. Bradley started the 2018-19 season with the Los Angeles Clippers before being traded to Memphis, where he played in 14 games (14 starts) and averaged 16.1 points and 4 assists per game.