NBA Trade Rumors: Dwight Howard's Reluctance to Commit to Lakers Makes No Sense

Dwight Howard has only pledged his allegiance to one team. He wants to go to Brooklyn and be a part of the East's newest "super"-team, but talks between the two franchises fell through.

If Howard would expand his list of teams, he would probably already be out of Orlando. According to LA Times reporter Mike Bresnahan, the Lakers want Howard, but it's dependent on one factor:

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The Lakers remain committed to probing every corner to unearth Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, who has one more year and $19.5 million left on his contract.

What they want is a commitment from Howard, who has been reluctant to agree to a contract extension with them.

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The Lakers' demands make sense. It doesn't matter how good Howard is; he's too expensive to rent. Demanding his long-term presence with their franchise is the only way to justify a deal involving Andrew Bynum.

Howard's refusal to commit doesn't make sense. The Lakers are a storied franchise and present a much better chance to claim an NBA championship. Los Angeles' window is closing relatively quickly, but its front office has shown astute decision-making in the past.

Mitch Kupchak and the other Lakers shot-callers would know to build around Howard. They've built championship teams around star players before. Los Angeles' glitz and glamor is synonymous with stars.

There's the argument that Howard wants to be a big fish in a small sea. If that's true then so be it, but I find that hard to believe. Are you trying to say that Brooklyn wouldn't have brought shiny bright lights? You mean playing on New York City's second team wouldn't have brought attention to Howard's game?

How about Deron Williams and Joe Johnson as his sidekicks? NBA fans would have flocked to see the new "Big Three."

Howard can't be avoiding a major media market. Brooklyn would have brought more than its fair share of attention. 

Outside of that, there's no real reason not to like the Lakers. They're ready to win now, and Mitch Kupchak knows what strings to pull. They know how to treat star talents, and they know how to assemble the perfect supporting cast.

Howard would be in an ideal situation. He wouldn't be the "guy" right away, but Kobe Bryant recently mentioned retiring in two years, per the LA Times. Then he would be the undoubted backbone of one of the NBA's most storied franchises.

I'm starting to think Howard just enjoys the chase. The Lakers have everything a player like him could possibly want, and they are willing to do what's necessary to bring him to their neck of the woods.

Switching coasts is an ideal scenario for this All-Star center.