NBA Trade Rumors: Past Lakers and Magic History Affecting Dwight Howard?

Orlando Magic fans were devastated when star center Shaquille O'Neal bolted the team and Penny Hardaway by signing with the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer of 1996, and this history between the two teams could prevent Dwight Howard from following in Shaq's footsteps to southern California.

Per the New York Post:

"

Several persons claiming knowledge of some of Howard’s thinking insist he does not look that favorably upon the Lakers because of the mega-shadow cast by Shaquille O’Neal, who left Orlando and won three titles in Los Angeles.

Howard could do without following those footsteps, making the Nets the heavy favorites among his preferred teams.

"

Although Lakers fans won't be happy from that excerpt from the Post, it makes sense that Howard not leave for the Lakers given the way Shaq left Orlando in 1996.

You have to understand that the Magic were an elite team in 1996 but had just been destroyed by the 72-win Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals in four games.

Even after the tough loss, Shaq and Hardaway were still one of the three best duos in basketball and Orlando was sort of like what the Oklahoma City Thunder have become right now; the league's young team ready to take over and dominate for years.

Howard cannot afford a bad PR hit that moving to Los Angeles might cause, but to be honest, the Lakers aren't the best fit for him long-term.

With Kobe Bryant not the same dominating player he used to be, and the with Lakers as a whole an aging roster, Howard would be better suited finding a team with a younger star to pair with.

One team that could benefit from the likelihood that Howard doesn't go to the Lakers is the New Jersey Nets, who can offer D12 the excitement of playing with superstar point guard Deron Williams. With the Nets moving to Brooklyn soon, Howard will play in a major market with a team on the rise. 

The Nets certainly have a lot to offer Howard, and being traded there or signing with them in free agency makes much more sense than joining the Lakers, especially given the Magic's previous history with the purple and gold regarding star centers.

We know Howard will be in high demand as the deadline approaches, but for many reasons, the Lakers are not a smart option for him going forward.

Follow @NicholasGoss35