Lakers Reportedly Holding Individual Workouts With Dwight Howard, Joakim Noah and Marreese Speights
By Kevin Aquino
It looks like the Lakers were completely serious about bringing Dwight Howard back, but aren't fully committed to the idea just yet. Los Angeles will also reportedly take a look at Joakim Noah and Marreese Speights.
Injuries have been a huge part of all three big men's careers, so individual workouts should allow the Lakers to see how they're all progressing and maintaining themselves this offseason.
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
Though a Lakers-Howard reunion has terrifying potential for disaster, he did play the most games he had in a season since 2010 (81), during which he averaged 16.6 points and 12.5 rebounds per contest. Then again, he followed that up by only playing in nine last year.
Joakim Noah had a half-season tryout with the Grizzlies last year and could find himself teaming up with one of his bitter rivals from the past decade in LeBron James. If a winning mindset is what the Lakers want, Noah will bring that and then some every night.
Devin Booker: We not doubling in open gym... I get that sh*t all season
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) August 20, 2019
Joakim Noah: Yea we are ?? pic.twitter.com/4IwIo8OHAC
Marreese Speights is a newer name in the Lakers conversation, but made his mark in a three-season stint with the Golden State Warriors from 2013-16. Mo Buckets should still be able to bring what his name implies after he spent all of last season in China.
NBA veteran Marcin Gortat also seems to be considered, but as the oldest of the bunch at 35, he could be last in line following his release from the Clippers in February.
Though the Lakers have narrowed down their list of candidates, there are still other centers out there that the LakeShow could consider if all workouts go south.