Joakim Noah and Dwight Howard are top candidates to sign a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after they lost star center DeMarcus Cousins to an ACL injury. According to sources close to ESPN, the Lakers set workouts for the two veteran centers and the workouts will also include former Memphis Grizzlies big guy Marreese Speights. Another player who attracted interest from the Lakers is a former Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat, who is currently playing basketball in Europe.
Sources: Lakers planning individual workouts to evaluate centers Joakim Noah, Dwight Howard and Mo Speights this week in Los Angeles. Another consideration currently overseas: Marcin Gortat. Lakers want a window into physical condition and mindset of a potential addition.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 20, 2019
Howard is under contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, although it was reported that they are going to trade or waive him before the season starts. However, the team permitted him to explore opportunities elsewhere in the NBA as it is unlikely Howard will play a single game for Memphis. Howard has a $5.6 million expiring contract and could be useful as a trade asset, or he could work out a contract buyout with the Grizzlies.
Noah, who spent the 2018-19 campaign with the Memphis Grizzlies, is a free agent right now, and in case the Lakers acquire him, the Frenchman would add experience and rim protection. Cousins will probably spend the entire year on the sidelines after suffering an ACL injury last week, and the Lakers are in need of a proven center who can provide competition to the remaining healthy center on the roster — JaVale McGee.
