Dwight Howard: Why He Should Not Sign with the Lakers

By all accounts, Dwight Howard appears to be a good guy, a guy who values a championship. This is why he should not sign a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Let's face it, Kobe is an old 33 years. Having been in the league for 15 years and playing on average 15 extra games a year in the payoffs—which equates to two and a half seasons—he is working on his 18th season.

Kobe is not long for this league, regardless of what he says. In light of his recent marital issues becoming public, will he even want to stay in LA? Or would he prefer to get out?

The supporting cast in LA is average at best. Pau Gasol is a nice player and would be a great complement to Howard, but he too is not young.

His field goal percentage has steadily dropped over the last five years, as has his assist average, while his personal fouls have steadily gone up over the same time period. This could easily equate to tired knees and elbows.

Andrew Bynum is a nice player, but he can't stay healthy. Certainly not a guy you want as your running mate.

Please note that in almost every likely scenario, Bynum and Gasol would be traded to get Howard anyway.

The rest of the cast? Seriously? Not a noteworthy one in the bunch. Yeah, Derek Fisher was something for some years, but he ain't now.

Metta "Ron Artest" World Peace Ochocinco? Ummm... no.

Murphy? Kapono? McRoberts? Sounds like a law firm.

The Lakers will be in full rebuild-mode in a year or two. Howard will be right where he is now, just in a bigger city and with more famous people in the stands.

Dwight needs to expand his mind. He doesn't need the big market. His name and game are big enough.

He does need to get out of the East. It's too crowded at the top now with the Heat, Bulls and Knicks, who all will be in the hunt for the championship for the next four to five years.

The West is much more wide-open, with an aging Kobe, Dirk, Duncan and Nash all seeing their retirements gaining on them in the rear view.

To throw it out there, I believe Howard will go to Oklahoma City to team with Kevin Durant. It'll take Westbrook, Perkins and a first-round pick, but it can get done.

Howard gets the best scorer in the NBA to team with, creating the best inside-outside tandem in the league, and Orlando stays young, getting an inside presence and an exciting guard.

It's a win-win for both cities.