In the wake of losing DeMarcus Cousins to a season-ending ACL injury, the Los Angeles Lakers are searching for help at the center position. With the pool of free agents down to the bottom of the barrel, the pickings are slim. However, an intriguing option could be a reunion with journeyman Dwight Howard.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that the Lakers intend to ask permission to speak with Howard, and that there is mutual interest from both sides.
The Lakers are expected to request permission soon to speak to Dwight Howard and there's mutual interest between the eight-time All-Star and L.A. in wake of DeMarcus Cousins' torn ACL, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 18, 2019
The 33-year-old Howard has been a one-and-done player for several seasons now, seemingly unable to stick with a team. Last season, he played in only nine games for the Washington Wizards before succumbing to a gluteal injury. Before that, Howard was with the Charlotte Hornets for a season and a year before THAT with the Atlanta Hawks.
The reason the Lakers simply cannot call up Dwight Howard and sign him is because he is currently on the Memphis Grizzlies. Howard was traded for C.J. Miles back in July, though Charania says the expectation is that he will be released by Memphis.
To say that Howard has been unable to find his footing is putting things lightly. At one point, the former number one pick in the 2004 NBA Draft was the bonafide best center in the league in leading the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals – over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Things went south when Howard joined the Lakers back in 2012. Now, he has the opportunity to join the purple and gold once again though under some different circumstances. The Lakers are in dire need of help at center after losing DeMarcus Cousins for the season already. That leaves JaVale McGee as the lone center on the roster, and the team is unwilling to play Davis at center. Perhaps a second stint with the Lakers, and alongside James and Davis, could be just what Dwight Howard needs.
