NBA News Roundup, Thursday, August 22nd: Lakers urged to sign Joakim Noah over Dwight Howard, Damian Lillard reaffirms commitment to Portland and more

The opening hours to this summer's free agency were among the most intense in history as much of the NBA's top talent was snapped up within moments of hitting the market. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving altered the power of the Eastern Conference by signing with the Brooklyn Nets, while Kemba Walker headed to the Boston Celtics.

The status of power in the West was also altered less than a week later when the Los Angeles Clippers completed a stunning trade for Paul George, while also snapping up the NBA's most in-demand free agent in Kawhi Leonard.

The initial flurry of business has since slowed, although major trades are possible in the weeks leading into the new campaign.

Notable free agents such as Carmelo Anthony and Kenneth Faried remain without teams, while Andre Iguodala could soon agree to a buyout. So, with plenty going on around the league, here is everything you need to know for August 22nd.

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Jalen Rose believes the Lakers should sign Joakim Noah

Joakim Noah spent last season with the Memphis Grizzlies

The Los Angeles Lakers are on the search for a new center after learning that DeMarcus Cousins will miss the entire 2019-20 season through injury. The team is currently working out the former All-Star duo of Joakim Noah and Dwight Howard, and Howard has been widely tipped as the man who will replace Cousins.

However, during an appearance on ESPN's the 'Get Up', former NBA star and current analyst Jalen Rose suggested that the Lakers should sign Noah:

Because I saw him (Noah) produce last year. Remember, last year Dwight Howard had a mysterious ‘gluteus maximus’ injury that kept him from performing. I saw Joakim Noah play basketball with Memphis last year.

Howard played just nine times throughout the 18-19 season and did not feature at all in 2019. Meanwhile, Noah contributed well as he made 42 appearances from the Grizzlies bench.

Steve Kerr hopes that Shaun Livingston will return to the Golden State Warriors

Shaun Livingston enjoyed a career resurgence with the Golden State Warriors

After losing Kevin Durant during the opening hours of free agency, the Golden State Warriors responded by completing an unlikely sign and trade for D'Angelo Russell. However, the Warriors had to give up their veteran pairing of Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston.

Steve Kerr was left disappointed by both departures, although the Warriors head coach is hopeful that Livingston will return to the franchise in a coaching capacity:

He's somebody I'm hoping can be involved with our organization for many years to come. That would be the plan if we can pull it off, but he's got to get away right now and get some freedom, enjoy his family before he figures out what's next.

Livingston is expected to play for at least one season, with the L.A. Clippers being mentioned as a likely destination.

Damian Lillard reaffirms his commitment to the Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard has spent his entire career with the Portland Trail Blazers

Since entering the league in 2012, Damian Lillard has developed into one of the NBA's elite guards. A four-time All-Star, Lillard has also been the driving force behind the Portland Trail Blazers' attempts to win a first championship since 1977.

Lillard signed a new supermax deal with the franchise earlier this summer, and the 29-year-old told Complex that he was never interested in leaving to create a Super Team:

It’s not so much about an organization. It’s to the city. To leave, what did I invest all this time for just to leave, you know? If I go play with three other stars, I don’t think that many people would doubt that I could win it. We would win it, but what is the challenge or the fun in that?

Lillard helped guide the Trail Blazers to the Western Conference Finals last season, averaging 26.9 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.8 rebounds over 16 postseason games.