Report: Los Angeles Lakers to work out Joakim Noah, Dwight Howard and Mo Speights

Scott Rafferty

Report: Los Angeles Lakers to work out Joakim Noah, Dwight Howard and Mo Speights image

In wake of DeMarcus Cousins suffering a torn ACL in his right knee, the Los Angeles Lakers are planning individual workouts with Joakim Noah, Dwight Howard and Mo Speights to get a "window into physical condition and mindset of a potential addition," ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

The Lakers are also considering Marcin Gortat, Wojnarowski added.

Whereas Noah, Speights and Gortat are all unrestricted free agents, Howard is currently under contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. However, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the franchise has granted the Lakers permission to speak with the eight-time All-Star, and Wojnarowski tweeted on Tuesday that they'd "gladly work on a buyout with him."

MORE: Does Howard make sense for Lakers?

Each player would each bring something different to the table for the Lakers. Howard was the most dominant defender in the league in his prime, Noah has long been one of the best passers at his position, Speights can stretch the floor out to the 3-point line and Gortat is both a solid rebounder and pick-and-roll finisher.

Other options for the Lakers in free agency include Amir Johnson, Salah Mejri and Zaza Pachulia.

Scott Rafferty

Scott Rafferty Photo

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.