Lakers Prediction 2019: Next Free-Agent Signing Is Former Bulls' Star, Not Dwight Howard

The Los Angeles Lakers are in search of a replacement for DeMarcus Cousins, who tore his ACL last week and could potentially miss all of the 2019-2020 NBA season. The team has limited options this late in free agency, left to consider signing a veteran center that might not have much left in the tank.

Dwight Howard, Joakim Noah and Marreese Speights are expected to work out for the Lakers in hopes of landing with the team, according to ESPN’s Adrain Wojnarowski. Marcin Gortat could also reportedly be a target for L.A.

JaVale McGee is the only player officially listed as a center that’s guaranteed to make the roster next season. Anthony Davis is expected to largely see time at power forward. Even though he was coming off a different injury, Cousins was supposed to play a key role for the Lakers after signing a one-year, $3.5 million contract.

What center will the Lakers sign? Here’s a closer look at the team’s options this summer, as well as a prediction for their next move:

Dwight Howard

Out of all the free-agent centers, Howard would probably put up the best numbers with Los Angeles. He’s always been a double-double machine, even later in his career, never averaging fewer than 13.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game from 2005-2018. The eight-time All-Star put up averages of 12.8 rebounds and 9.2 rebounds in just 25.6 minutes per game in nine contests with the Washington Wizards last season.

The problem with Howard is that his impact on a team goes well beyond the statistics, and not in a good way. There’s a reason why the Memphis Grizzlies are technically his sixth team in the last four years. It’s no secret that Howard isn’t very well-liked by many players in the NBA. His one season with the Lakers in 2012-2013 was a borderline disaster that ended in a first-round sweep. Howard is no longer worth the headaches he might bring to a locker room.

Joakim Noah

The Lakers wouldn’t be able to count on Noah playing a full season. That’s something he hasn’t done since he played 80 games and finished fourth in the 2014 MVP race with the Chicago Bulls. Noah was down to 67 games in 2014-2015. He hasn’t played more than 46 games in a season since then.

Noah had a resurgence of sorts with Memphis last season, averaging 7.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists in just 16.5 minutes per game. The veteran was relatively healthy by his standards after making his debut in December, playing limited minutes each night. Noah fell off a cliff in his two seasons with the New York Knicks from 2016-2018. He has indicated that the New York City nightlife played a part in his struggles, so there might be some concern that playing in Los Angeles could produce a similar result.

Marreese Speights

There are certainly reasons to believe Speights is the best fit for this Lakers’ roster. Speights has championship experience from his time playing with the Golden State Warriors. He’s a modern NBA center with the ability to shoot three-pointers, having shot 36.9 percent or better from distance in each of his last three seasons. Unfortunately, Speights hasn’t taken a shot in an NBA game in a year.

Speights played in China last season, averaging 22.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in 29 contests. He spent his last three NBA seasons with three different teams, never averaging more than 15.7 minutes per game. Speights averaged 7.7 points and 2.6 rebounds on 39.5 percent shooting from the field in 52 games with the Orlando Magic in 2017-2018.

Prediction

Howard’s track record and declining skills should make him a last resort for the Lakers. Speights doesn’t provide the defense or rebounding Los Angeles might be looking for.

Noah best fits the mold of recent L.A. signings: a smart, competitive veteran that’s pushed LeBron James in the playoffs in the past. Look for Noah to join Rajon Rondo and Lance Stephenson on the list of James’ rivals that have teamed up with the superstar in Los Angeles.