Recently, Dwight Howard uploaded a clip from his Above the Rim with DH12 podcast, featuring himself and Jeanie Marie Buss (controlling owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers), in which the two discussed Dwight’s past relationship with the Lakers organization and the odd circumstances around his leaving.

When Buss brought up Howard’s departure from the Lakers in 2020, Howard explained the confusion around the $7 million contract that he unknowingly rejected.

“I wanted to come back. I don’t know what had happened.” said Howard. Jeanine smiled and calmly replied, “You took an offer from the Philadelphia 76ers.” Howard shook his head, “No, I think that we were just told so many different things. I think now, looking back on it, with the situation that I had with my agent, you know, actually getting convicted, being a part of the whole crime-” Searching for clarity, Jeanie politely interjected, “It was the same guy?” Howard explained, “Yeah, he was a part of it. Yeah, same agent.”

On October 14th, 2024, Howard shared a video of the interaction on social media with the caption: “I was so shocked to hear the Lakers had an offer for me but my so called agent told me lies same agent that cost me $7mill man I’m glad me & Jeanie cleared that up I know it’s too late but why not…”

Howard’s former agent, Charles Briscoe, was convicted of defrauding Howard out of millions of dollars and is no longer certified by the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).

Briscoe worked with Calvin Darden Jr., a Georgia businessman, to convince Howard to send $7 million to a shell company Darden controlled (Howard was unaware that is was a shell company). Darden told Howard that the money would be used to buy the Atlanta Dream, a Women’s National Basketball Association team, and that celebrities and companies like Tyler Perry, Issa Rae, and Starbucks would be involved in the venture. Since Howard couldn’t officially own a team during his playing career, he decided to play a behind-the-scenes role, letting Briscoe handle the details. The deal was moving forward until his agent and other associates vanished with the money. In reality, Darden lied about the involvement of these people and companies. Darden used the money to buy watches, Mercedes, and other personal expenses. Howard only discovered the fraud when he saw on ESPN that someone else had purchased the Dream.

Upon realizing that he had been scammed, Howard testified that he felt it was a “slap in the face.” He explained that he had been meeting with individuals to secure funding for the team, only to discover they had misappropriated the money for luxury items.

After Howard explained his agent’s involvement, Jeanie nodded understandingly, “Well that makes a little more sense now.” Howard smiled, “So, like, I don’t even know what the truth was, because what I was told was that you guys didn’t have an offer for me.” Jeanie interjected, “Oh no, that’s not true.” Howard explained, “Yeah, I never even knew that. He never told me. Well, actually, he said that you guys had an offer, then he said you guys took the offer back.” Jeanie shook her head, “No, it’s all about the salary cap and the timing, because we have to get accepted offers when we have the cap space.”

Briscoe likely lied to Howard about the $7 million offer to buy time and allow the opportunity to negotiate a deal with the Lakers slip away.

While this isn’t the first time an agent has manipulated a professional athlete-and it certainly won’t be the last-Briscoe’s offenses are particularly egregious. Howard’s former agent is among four individuals charged in the Southern District of New York with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud (each count carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison). Additionally, Briscoe faces charges of aggravated identity theft. Meanwhile, Darden has been convicted of fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, and two counts of conspiracy. In January 2024, he was sentenced to a prison term of 11 to 14 years.