Dwight Howard first spoke with Jason Kidd about the possibility of joining the Los Angeles Lakers.

Howard and Kidd were teammates during the 2008 Olympics and continued to have a solid relationship.

Howard told Kidd that he'd learned from the past few seasons and is ready to be an effective role player. Kidd became convinced of Howard's evolution and the Lakers then needed to get on the same page with the likes of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Rob Pelinka and Frank Vogel.

Howard scheduled a workout and meeting for Thursday, but he also went to the Lakers' facility for a training session on Wednesday. 

“Dwight didn’t need to be here the day before the actual workout,” one source said, “but he was.”

Howard looked healthy and fit during his workouts. 

League sources said Howard had a convincing and emotional meeting with the players and Lakers officials, explaining how he had reached rock bottom a season ago and needed to find a new mindset in his life.