Lakers Rumors: Howard's Reluctance to Sign Long Term Means Team Should Walk Away

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of several teams that have been rumored to have significant interest in acquiring Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, but Howard's apparent unwillingness to sign a long-term extension makes that a bad move for L.A.

Howard's agent, Dan Fegan, confirmed to Ric Bucher of ESPN on Saturday that regardless of whose jersey the six-time All-Star is wearing in 2012, the eight-year veteran still intends to test the free-agent waters after the season.

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Dwight's position has remained unchanged since the end of this past season. He fully intends to explore free agency at the end of next season, regardless of what team trades for him.

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This could just be posturing by Howard's camp, but it has to raise red flags for any team looking to land the big man. Paying a king's ransom for a player that may only be around for one season usually isn't considered a savvy personnel move.

However, Fegan's comments don't appear to have cooled the Lakers' interest in trading for Howard. The biggest stumbling block now appears to be Lakers center Andrew Bynum, who would all but certainly be part of the Howard deal.

Like Howard, he is entering the last year of his contract, and he has indicated that he has every intention of testing free agency next year.

Dave McMenamin and Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLA reported Saturday that while the Lakers appear willing to roll the dice that they can convince Howard to stay in Los Angeles, the Magic aren't nearly as confident that they can persuade Bynum to hang around Disney World for a while.

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The Lakers remain committed to pursuing Howard even without assurances he'd sign a long-term extension with the club. What's unclear to both sides is whether Orlando would accept Andrew Bynum without assurances he'd sign a long-term extension.

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The longer this saga drags on, the less sense it makes for Los Angeles to do this deal.

Sam Amico of Fox Sports recently reported that Orlando general manager Rob Hennigan has repeatedly changed the terms of potential trades for Howard. The Brooklyn Nets finally said "no thanks" and just re-upped Brook Lopez.

Meanwhile, while Hennigan drags his feet, teams pursuing Howard are left in limbo.

Enough already.

The Lakers need to put a deadline on getting a deal done rather than allowing themselves to be led around by the nose. If the Magic don't like that, L.A. can focus on re-signing Bynum. 

Bynum walking after the season is better than giving up a boatload in compensation to the Magic only to watch Howard do the same. As they say, "better the devil you know than the devil you don't know."

Besides, if Howard really is intent on testing free agency next season, the Lakers can just bide their time and throw a gazillion dollars at him a year from now.

It sure beats being the third clown from the left in the Dwight Howard trade circus.

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