Lakers Trade Rumors: L.A. Reportedly Re-Ignites Negotiations for Dwight Howard
With NBA free agency hitting a fever pitch, the talk of trades has spawned rumors galore. At the center of the the discussion is none other than Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard.
Now, there is another chance the All-Star could go to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Didn't we see this movie before?
Howard has been playing with the Magic's emotions for the last year, and it's about time the organization brought the ball back into their court. With the ability to deal Howard if they need to, getting a star like Andrew Bynum is something Orlando can't pass on.
With Howard likely walking away for nothing after this season anyway, trading him now allows the healing process to finally begin.
Yahoo! Sports NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting about the mutual contact between the teams and what parts will have to be included to make this all work out:
"The Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic have had preliminary contact about a possible deal for All-Star center Dwight Howard, league sources told Yahoo! Sports…While the Lakers have yet to make a direct offer, there's no scenario where Orlando would move Howard to the Lakers without getting back Andrew Bynum, L.A.'s 24-year-old All-Star center. Pau Gasol wouldn't fit the Magic's desires to rebuild with young players and draft picks. The Lakers had been willing to part with Bynum for Howard in March, but those talks ended when Howard decided to decline his early termination option and remain under contract through the 2012-13 season.
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Wow. Every time I see a story about Howard requesting a trade or changing his mind about a desired location, I can't help but sit in awe of the mess that this young man has made for himself in Orlando.
There is no question that the man is one of the greatest players in the NBA right now, and any team that gets him will be instantly boosted into a favorite to win their division and conference, but he has proven time and time again that his thought process is unstable.
Howard has changed his future plans more times in the last year than any franchise should be exposed to. His poor treatment of the Magic organization is only hurting the perception he has with the media and the NBA.
If Orlando can work out the details and send Howard to Los Angeles, the hope is that playing under a personality like Kobe Bryant will teach Howard to handle himself properly. Bryant isn't exactly an ideal role model, but he could be the spark that ignites Howard's championship flame.
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