NBA NEWS

Report: Howard rejoining Lakers

Field Level Media

August 23, 2019 at 10:42 pm.

Dwight Howard is rejoining the Los Angeles Lakers.

ESPN first reported Friday that Howard agreed to a buyout of his existing contract with the Memphis Grizzlies and would be signed by the Lakers, who are shopping late in the offseason to help fill a void created when DeMarcus Cousins tore his ACL training in Las Vegas.

Howard, under contract with the Grizzlies, had permission to communicate with the Lakers and attended a private workout with the team. The Lakers reportedly also worked out Joakim Noah and Mo Speights and considered Marcin Gortat.

Howard, who turns 34 in December, begins his second tour with the Lakers. He averaged 17.1 points and 12.4 rebounds in 76 games in 2012-13.

The eight-time All-Star has career marks of 17.4 points and 12.6 rebounds in 1,044 games.

Gortat, 35, last played for the Clippers and is planning to play internationally this season.

Noah, 34, played for Memphis last season but has not sparked interest in free agency.

Speights, 32, played 10 seasons in the NBA, most recently with the Orlando Magic in 2017-18. He played in China last season with the Guangzhou Long-Lions.