With the ACL injury to DeMarcus Cousins, the Los Angeles Lakers plan to workout former Charlotte Hornets center Dwight Howard.
Through the team’s history, the Charlotte Hornets have had a lot of interesting centers play for their organization. One of those centers is Dwight Howard, who only played for one season in Charlotte.
Howard arrived in Charlotte following a trade with the Atlanta Hawks during the 2017 offseason. In this trade, the Hornets would send Marco Belinelli and Miles Plumlee to the Hawks in exchange for Howard.
While in Charlotte, Howard would average 16.6 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. Howard would then be traded during the 2018 season, and then he would eventually find himself playing for the Washington Wizards.
During this year’s offseason, Howard was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he is still under contract. According to recent reports, Howard could be on his way to a buy-out and signing with a familiar team.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Grizzlies are allowing Howard to explore opportunities elsewhere, and that the Grizzlies would be interesting in a buyout. Wojnarowski also reported that Howard would be one of three centers who will workout for the Los Angeles Lakers this week.
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
The Lakers have planned to workout Dwight Howard, Marreese Speights, and Joakim Noah. All of the centers that the Lakers are working out appear to be defensive-minded veterans. Hornets fans know that Howard is a defensive anchor since he averaged 1.6 blocks per game for Charlotte.
This report comes after the recent season-ending ACL injury DeMarcus Cousins suffered during a workout. Howard has previously stated that he would be interested in reuniting with the Lakers.
Howard has not been with the Lakers since the 2012-13 season, and when he was on the team he averaged 17.1 points and 12.4 rebounds per game. Howard spent one season with the Lakers before signing with the Houston Rockets during the 2013 offseason.
A lot of speculation indicates that Howard is a top candidate for the Lakers, but he would have to outshine his competition when he works-out for the team. Expect the Lakers to decide on who they will sign by the end of the week.