Report: Lakers expected to speak with Grizzlies' Howard

Could Dwight Howard be on his way back to the Los Angeles Lakers?

The Lakers are expected to request permission from the Memphis Grizzlies to speak with Howard about joining them in the wake of DeMarcus Cousins' injury, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Howard was traded to Memphis from the Washington Wizards last month and is widely expected to be waived at some point.

The 33-year-old played for the Lakers at the peak of his powers in 2012-13 but bolted for the Houston Rockets as a free agent the following summer after failing to mesh with Kobe Bryant. His career has been in gradual decline since, having played for four different teams in as many seasons.

Howard was limited to just nine games with the Wizards last season after undergoing a lumbar microdiscectomy.