NBA Rumors: Lakers Take Chance On Prodigal Center To Replace DeMarcus Cousins

Dwight Howard gets another chance with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 6-foot-11 big man has reportedly completed a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies and will sign with the purple and gold after clearing waivers. Compared to his last stint with the Lakers, his second coming is far different.

Sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic that according to Howard's agent Charles Briscoe, a buyout has been completed with the Grizzlies. The contract of the eight-time NBA All-Star will not be guaranteed although he is likely to make the team, according to another report by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

The Lakers worked out several big men following the untimely injury to DeMarcus Cousins. Boogie fell to an ACL injury and this forced Los Angeles to skim the market for the best available big men in free agency. Aside from Howard, Joakim Noah and Mareese Speights also worked out for the Lakers.

Once made official, it will be interesting to see who the Lakers will start at center. There is a possibility that head coach Frank Vogel will first try Anthony Davis in the middle and then adjust later on. Aside from Howard, JaVale McGee could be considered to fill the center position.

For Howard, the second coming is far different from when he first joined the Lakers back during the 2012-13 NBA season. He was dominant and in better shape at the time, joining Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant among others. Since leaving Hollywood, the top overall pick of the 2004 NBA Draft simply struggled to recall the form that he showed when he was with the Orlando Magic.

Injuries have slowed down Howard the past years. He last played for the Washington Wizards where he saw action in only nine games after undergoing spinal surgery to relieve pain in his glutes. Aside from that, back and hamstring injuries surfaced and thus prevented him from seeing action. He ended up with the Memphis Grizzlies when the Wizards dealt him last July for C.J. Miles.

Ironically, it was with the Lakers where Howard's performance started to decline. He holds career averages of 17.4 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks. Likely to get limited minutes, it will be interesting if Howard can revive his flailing NBA career with the same team he left back in 2013.