Lakers Trade Rumors: Refusal to Sign Extension Must End Chase for Dwight Howard

It is time for the Los Angeles Lakers give up their quest for Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard.

It should have been over a long time ago, but the latest rumors should kill the infatuation the Lakers have had with the big man for over a year now.

According to Lakers radio play-by-play man John Ireland, via SI.com, Superman is not interested in signing with the Lakers long term if traded to L.A.

"Ireland said on ESPN Radio Tuesday that Dan Fegan, Howard’s agent, told him that he would not be interested in a long-term deal with Los Angeles."

BOOM. Whether true or not, let's be done with this already, please.

The Lakers do not need a big man. What they need is an athletic point guard and scoring option at the small forward position.

Rather than potentially wondering why Howard wants nothing to do with L.A. long term (likely Kobe's longevity, lack of point guard play and better options elsewhere like New Jersey or Dallas), the Lakers need to focus on how to fill their current holes.

They have a young center in Andrew Bynum, veteran scorer in Pau Gasol and world-class killer in Kobe.

What they don't have on the court is often more visible than what they do have. Kobe is averaging more minutes per game and leading the league in points because he basically has to kill himself every night to get the "W."

Bringing in a point guard presence who can handle the ball and a small forward who can take some of the scoring load off Kobe should be this organization's prime objective as the trade deadline approaches.

Landing Dwight Howard was a good idea that has turned into a pipe dream. If they haven't truly moved on from it yet, then they need to now.

Their season hinges on it.