Lakers Rumors: LA Reportedly Won't Take Jason Richardson in a Dwight Howard Deal

Mitch Kupchak is loyal to his players, even if they've only been "his players" for a week (just don't tell Derek Fisher that).

According to the latest NBA rumors, the Los Angeles Lakers want nothing to do with a trade that involves sending Jason Richardson to L.A. What’s wrong with a shooting guard who’s still capable of being an offensive spark off the bench you ask? He and Steve Nash got beef, reportedly.

Sam Amico of FOX Sports is hearing whispers that the guards aren’t fond of each other. He tweeted:

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Lakers will not take Jason Richardson. He supposedly has personal issue with Steve Nash. @withmalice @enc0ur

— Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) July 19, 2012"

"

Whether the Jason Richardson & Nash issue is a "false rumor" or not, I can tell you with confidence Lakers wouldn't take Richardson.

— Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) July 19, 2012"

Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM reported on Wednesday that the Lakers were involved in trade talks with the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers that would send Howard to L.A., Andrew Bynum to the Cavs and Anderson Varejao to Disney World. Rudolph also noted that Howard is finally sold on Hollywood and would be willing to sign a long-term extension.

But first things first—Orlando isn’t trading for Varejao without ridding itself of one, if not multiple, hideous contracts. Los Angeles or Cleveland will be forced to take Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, Glen Davis or Chris Duhon. But apparently Richardson isn’t an option for L.A.

Richardson played with Nash on the Phoenix Suns from 2008 to 2010. Phoenix acquired him from the Charlotte Bobcats to provide Nash with a better backcourt partner.

It worked for a while. The pair sparked the Suns to a Western Conference Finals berth in 2010, but it appears that the love didn’t last.

Phoenix dealt Richardson the very next season in its shocking six-player swap with the Orlando Magic.

Who knows what went wrong? Maybe Richardson made a crack about Canada. But whatever went down, if something did go down, it could make fans wait even longer for this Dwightmare to end.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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