Report: Howard, Noah leave positive impression on Lakers after workouts

Dwight Howard and Joakim Noah supposedly had strong auditions for the Los Angeles Lakers' vacant center gig.

Both Howard and Noah participated in workouts and meetings with the Lakers on Thursday and left the franchise with the impression they could each be "helpful to the team," sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Howard and Noah have strong resumes. Both have previously been named Defensive Player of the Year (three times for Howard), and the pair boasts a combined 27 years of experience in the league. Howard, specifically, is also familiar with Los Angeles, having played with the Lakers for a single - albeit ill-fated - season in 2012-13.

The Lakers are searching for a new center as a result of DeMarcus Cousins' knee injury. Cousins tore his ACL earlier this month during a workout in Las Vegas and could miss the entire 2019-20 season.

Fellow NBA veteran big man Marreese Speights, who the Lakers were also said to be considering, will work out with the club Friday, Wojnarowski adds.

While Noah is a free agent following a 42-game stint with the Memphis Grizzlies last season, Howard is technically under contract with the same club after they acquired him via trade this summer. The Grizzlies, however, granted the Lakers permission to speak to the eight-time All-Star.