Dwight Howard was drafted in 2004 and 5 years later led his team to an NBA Finals. That series was closer than people remember it. A few different bounces and it's a 2-2, or even 3-1 series and anything can happen.
He asks for a trade and plays for a notoriously difficult teammate in Kobe. Steve Nash is cooked, and that team fizzles out.
He was fine in Houston - and after that his position became pretty meaningless in the NBA. He did exactly what was needed of him to help his team win a championship this year.
I am not sure he ever needed to redeem anything.