The Lakers plan to work out free agent centers Joakim Noah and Marreese Speights as well as the Grizzlies’ Dwight Howard this week in Los Angeles, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets.
Another NBA free agent, Marcin Gortat, could also come in for a look, Wojnarowski adds. The Lakers want to evaluate the physical condition and mindset of each player as they seek to replace DeMarcus Cousins.
Cousins suffered a torn ACL this month after he signed a one-year contract with the Lakers. Cousins could miss the entire season.
The Grizzlies had already granted the Lakers permission to meet with Howard. Memphis acquired him from the Wizards this offseason but he’s not part of their plans. The Grizzlies could make a trade or reach a buyout on his $5.6MM contract if the Lakers want him.
Noah averaged 7.1 PPG and 5.7 RPG in 41 games for Memphis last season after his woeful stint with the Knicks. He hasn’t drawn much attention on the free agent market, though he reportedly was being very selective about his next NBA destination.
Speights, who played in China last season, worked out in front of numerous NBA executives last month in Las Vegas.
Gortat was waived by the Clippers at the trade deadline last season and didn’t get picked up.
The Lakers currently have 14 players with guaranteed deals.
if Speights is in good shape I’d take him. a big who can spread the floor and defend the other team’s 5 is what they need
Agreed. Only problem is Speights is never in good shape.
Mo Speights is done. When he was 27 he played like he was 35.
He can shoot a little bit, but his D is a little lacking, and he definitely does not rebound or block shots.
If Howard gets hurt working out do the Grizzles sue?
That’s a very good question. It just seems odd that one team can physically work out a player under contract to another team. I understand that Howard is unlikely to play for Memphis regardless, but this is a weird precedent to set. Will teams start requiring workouts along with physicals before trades are consummated? It’s just strange all around.
Memphis doesn’t really have much to lose. He he works out great for the Lakers then they have the upper hand with buyout talks. If he flounders, they know what they have as far as an expiring contract is concerned. Either way he wasn’t suiting up for the Grizz regardless.
The Grizzlies already granted them permission to meet with him, so no they can’t.
Lakers should grab Noah. Would be “Hollywood as Hell!”
Nah! It’s Legal in Cali! I’d go for Howard!
Mo Buckets is a poor man’s Boogie. However, every coaches problem with Mo Buckets, is he always wanted to take Mo Shots.
I think they would love it if Howard is in great shape and has a positive mindset. He will sell a few tickets and jerseys. He’s gotta be the preference… so long as he can also help the team.
Do they really need Howard to sell tickets? Isn’t LeBron and AD enough for that purpose?
Yeah, of course. I’m just saying that Howard name is still a commodity.
Who in their right mind would by a Howard jersey?
@cobieven ummm…..a fan? Let’s not act like Howard isn’t a multi-allstar and future HOF.
Boy any of these guys is gonna make the lakers contenders again! Championship!
They were barely contenders even before Boogie got hurt. I’d be shocked if the Lakers win 50 games next season, but they should make the playoffs this time even if LeBron misses 20 games again.
Ark lands in LA !!
Lakers work out NOAH !!
You’re on a roll today…
Don’t encourage him!!!
Howard’s gonna be like, I aint messn this time.
If healthy Dwight is clearly the answer but that’s a big IF as of recently. Even if his personality clashes, the upside he brings is still better than what any of these other Centers offer. Also wouldn’t mind them trading for Noel in January
It will be Noah. Howard got his chance, Noah haven’t.
If Gortat can still rebound and play defense I would sign him if I was the Lakers…there will be no risk of drama with him like there would be with Howard and Noah…also less headlines as well. But not sure if Gortat can still play at a high level…
Good assessment. My opinion is Gortat has cement in his shoes. But then again the issue with the other guys is they get hurt. No clear-cut easy answer.
I’d go with Faried or Speights because Dwight.. is an issue, Gortat is old, and Noah has had issues with LeBron from the past
Wasn’t Howard a Super Bowl hero?