Lakers Rumors: Dwight Howard Talks Heating Up, Why A Deal Must Get Done Now

According to Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated, the Dwight Howard sweepstakes are getting more serious by the hour it seems, and the talks are getting more intense.

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A source close to the situation confirmed reports that Howard requested a trade yet again Friday, telling new Magic General manager, Rob Hennigan, that he wanted out during a meeting in Los Angeles. The source said the Magic are open for business on trade calls now, and various reports indicate that talks are heating up with the Hawks, Lakers and Nets.

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The Lakers brass would be absolutely foolish to let this one slip by. It was reported earlier by CBS Sports that the Atlanta Hawks pulled out of the Pau Gasol for Josh Smith transaction as the Lakers asking price was too steep. 

At this point in time, the Lakers no longer have time for negotiation games and hopeful add-ons. Howard, a bona fide superstar, can be a Laker, and if Los Angeles can attract him with the lure of this city and fans, along with the prospect of playing alongside one of his best friends in Josh Smith, Showtime will be back for years to come. 

Would this be enough to convince Howard to sign an extension? I absolutely think it would.

On the other side of the spectrum, Steve Blake received multiple death threats as the result of a missed three-pointer. How much more would Howard receive if he jettisoned L.A next summer? Based on Laker fans' reactions, Howard could stay put for the mere fact his life depended on it. Okay fine, a bit over-the-line, but can you really see Dwight jetting L.A with this lineup?

No longer would we hear the critics calling the Lakers old and slow or the "last-years" of the NBA. A frontcourt that features D12 and Smith would be freakishly athletic and downright scary.

Think about the possibilities. How attractive would this lineup be to a free-agent point guard who knows the Lakers are in desperate need of starting help? Would Steve Nash or Jose Calderon consider taking a pay cut for the very realistic opportunity at manufacturing a championship while enjoying the lights of L.A?

At the moment, each key free agent is looking at the Lakers and then turning the other way. Why should they accept a mini-midlevel exception contract? Oh right, to join up with a team that is cracking and wilting away by the minute.

Not happening.

Unless, of course,the Lakers can make these trades happen.

Very soon, every possibility will be exhausted if a deal is not done. The season is either a time bomb waiting to go off, or a parade ready to be scheduled next summer. 

Just like last year, we will feature a bench of Jason Kaponos and Troy Murphys if management remains hesitant on what will soon be inevitable: Change.

Get a deal done, Mitch. The trophy and your fans are depending on it.