An ACL injury to DeMarcus Cousins created an opening for a big man on the Lakers’ roster, which has been — at least temporarily — filled by Dwight Howard.
The veteran center, who has bounced around the league, returned to the Lakers on a one-year, non-guaranteed deal after he was waived by the Grizzlies. At 33 years old, coming off an injury-riddled season that saw him appear in just nine games, it’s clear that Howard is no longer the player who once made eight straight All-Star teams.
However, after meeting with the Lakers and striking an emotional chord, the mercurial center can aid L.A.’s quest for a championship, something he couldn’t do in his first stint with the Purple and Gold.
New Lakers head coach Frank Vogel feels good about his new player, as he said on Access SportsNet:
