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GARY WASHBURN | ON BASKETBALL

Superman (Dwight Howard) could rescue Celtics

Center Dwight Howard, who will turn 31 in December, remains a presence in the paint both offensively and defensively.David J. Phillip

It’s getting to the point for Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge that he needs to make a significant move. He can’t let the summer pass without adding a major free agent, even if that means overpaying, and even if that means signing a player who has an unsavory history and limitations.

That’s what makes the marriage between the Celtics and Dwight Howard a perfect one. They desperately need each other, and the Celtics will meet with Howard’s representatives as free agency begins Thursday at midnight.

While signing Kevin Durant — a long shot, at best — should remain a priority, the signing of Howard, a rim protector and defender the Celtics have lacked since Kevin Garnett’s prime, should be their top assignment because it’s more reasonable.

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Howard will turn 31 in December and just finished his 12th NBA season. He is no longer the inside force of days past when he led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals and Eastern Conference finals in consecutive years (2009-10). Back and knee injuries have slowed him down over the years and his scoring average has dipped from 20.6 in his final season with the Magic to 13.7 last season in Houston.

The Celtics aren’t getting a premium Dwight Howard, but they are going to have to pay like he’s the top-of-the-line model because of the increased salary cap. Howard didn’t walk away from the $23 million final year of his Rockets contract to sign for less, unless it was likely a multiyear deal.

Howard’s potential salary shouldn’t offend Celtics’ fans. They don’t seem to be as offended when players such as Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard, the Angels’ Albert Pujols, and the Yankees’ C.C. Sabathia are earning $25 million this season.

Those salaries don’t appear so offensive because baseball fans are accustomed to such bloated paydays.

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With the NBA salary cap increasing by an estimated $20 million this summer, many average and slightly above average players are going to cash in on major contracts, so get used to it. The Celtics are going to have to pay Howard north of $23 million on a short-term deal, and they should.

They don’t need Dominant Dwight. They need Capable Dwight. And he has been a capable player in his past few seasons in Houston.

Of course he brings baggage. Howard likely wouldn’t be a free agent and have changed teams three times in five years if he didn’t. The Celtics would not be signing Howard to be their locker room leader. They would add him to play defense, rebound, block an occasional shot, and vigorously dunk pick-and-roll alley-oops from Isaiah Thomas.

Howard, at 6 feet 11 inches and 265 pounds, would deter opposing players from diving into the paint to score layups. Howard would do the dirty work, with coach Brad Stevens devising ways to get the big man involved offensively. In what was considered an uneven year, Howard shot a career-high 62 percent from the field and averaged 11.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks a game.

His defensive rating has taken a beating in the past two seasons because the defense around him was so poor, but his interior presence would immediately improve a Celtics defense that was gashed this season by points in the paint.

Before making any offers, the Celtics need to know whether Howard is fully healthy — meaning able to play 70-plus games — and whether he is mentally invested into playing in Boston and prepared to set an example for younger teammates.

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He was phased out of the Houston offense by All-Star James Harden. It’s difficult to judge Howard on his three seasons in Houston because the environment was so poisonous.

The environment in Boston is positive. Howard knows how to work the media and would say all the right things. He needs to resuscitate his image and standing in the game. Despite his weaknesses and detractors, he remains one of the top five centers in the league and Stevens would manage his minutes and health.

If Howard’s representatives are asking for a four-year deal and maximum dollars, the Celtics should pass. But a two-year contract is enough time for Howard to prove he is an all star-caliber player and to make a sizable impact on the Celtics.

Boston also could chase Miami’s Hassan Whiteside (there are plenty of cons to that case) or bring back Amir Johnson, but Howard is the best unrestricted free-agent center on the market. Former Celtic Al Jefferson, injury-prone Joakim Noah, and offensively limited Bismack Biyombo are also available, but Howard would be a better investment.

Of course, Ainge and Celtics’ ownership will have to do their homework, ensure that Howard is ready for a new challenge, healthy enough to contribute consistently, and committed to being a reliable teammate.

Then their best move would be to make an offer and bring Howard to Boston.

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Gary Washburn can be reached at gwashburn@globe.com.