Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: Lakers and More Suitors Fed Up with Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic are apparently having a hard time realizing that if they don’t deal Dwight Howard by next March's trade deadline, they will certainly lose the superstar in free agency with nothing to show in return.
It seems that the negotiation tactics that new Magic GM Rob Hennigan has employed is turning teams off from dealing with him, as evidenced by the Brooklyn Nets—the most serious suitors for DH12—bowing out of the race last week.
The Los Angeles Lakers might be the next organization to give up on trying to negotiate a trade with Orlando.
According to Dave McNenamin and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles, some progress needs to be made before the Lakers lose patience.
"Like Orlando's protracted and unfruitful negotiations with Brooklyn a few weeks ago, this latest round of talks is starting to hamstring business around the league, multiple sources have told ESPNLosAngeles.com, and there is a growing possibility the Lakers or one of the other teams would simply walk away from the talks at some point this week.
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The other teams are the Houston Rockets and possibly the Cleveland Cavaliers, the latter which has expressed interest in becoming a third-party to any possible Dwight deal.
Obviously, no third team will be necessary if Hennigan continues to ask for a ridiculous and near-impossible amount for the star center.
Considering that Orlando was on the cusp of landing a package of picks, young stars and also unloading some bad contracts on Brooklyn in their closest reported trade, it will be a miracle if the Lakers can find a way to get the team to cough up DH12.
Hennigan needs to take a step back, realize the consequences of NOT trading Howard this offseason and then go back to the bargaining table with a clear head and more realistic goals.
