The Los Angeles Lakers continue to look for options after the devastating news of DeMarcus Cousins’ ACL injury.
During their search to find a replacement, veterans Dwight Howard and Joakim Noah have both reportedly made positive impressions in their discussions with the team.
Howard is currently in the final year of his contract, which will pay him $5.6 million, and is property of the Memphis Grizzlies. The 33-year-old veteran was dealt to the Grizzlies last month in exchange for C.J. Miles after playing just nine games for the Wizards. Given his age and performance decline in recent years, it’s not likely that the Grizzlies would ask for much in return in any trade.
Should the Lakers sign Howard, they’re hoping that there’s no repeat of his forgettable one year with the team during the 2012-13 campaign.
Howard averaged a double-double with 17.1 points and a league-high 12.4 rebounds in 76 games. However, the combination of back trouble, reported feuding with Kobe Bryant, and three head coaches during the season led to a first-round playoff exit and Howard’s departure in free agency.
Coincidentally, the 34-year-old Noah played 42 games for the Grizzlies last season after being waived by the New York Knicks during training camp, averaging just 7.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists.
His primary issue over the past four seasons has been staying healthy, since he’s only played in 124 of the possible 328 regular season games over that period.
In the case of Marreese Speights, he last played in the NBA during the 2017-18 season, performing in 52 games for the Orlando Magic and averaging 7.7 points and 2.6 rebounds. Last season, he played for the Guangzhou Long-Lions in the Chinese Basketball Association.
The Lakers have approximately one more month to sign a player, with no timetable currently being offered as to when the final decision will be made. The hope is that Cousins will be able to return during the latter half of the upcoming season.
