The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly seeking permission to speak with Dwight Howard in respond to DeMarcus Cousins suffering an ACL tear.

According to the initial reporting, the interest is mutual.

This story is obviously still developing, but there's been plenty of speculation that this could happen over the last few weeks.

Cousins going down with such a major injury is obviously what spurs this entire event from possibly happening.

The key thing to see what happens next is not only how Dwight Howard responds to any talks (if the Lakers are indeed given permission to speak with him), but how open everyone on the Los Angeles roster is to playing with the polarizing talent.

While Howard has fallen back a bit in the modern NBA, as big men are now able to shoot from range and not just be paint terminators, Dwight is still a reliable rebounder who can defend somewhat reliably.

If this does indeed happen, only time will tell how it plays out for the famed Purple and Gold. Last time around, when Howard was teamed with Kobe Bryant, it didn't exactly end with sunshine and rainbows.

Fully expect more news to develop on this story in great haste.