Deconstructing the Case for Dwight Howard to Leave the L.A. Lakers

Dwight Howard is expected to dominate with the Los Angeles Lakers, sparking a run through the 2012-13 NBA that could result in a title. But what happens if everything doesn't move along swimmingly and free agency becomes a serious option next summer? 

Operating under the admittedly faulty assumption that L.A. is a no-go next year, four destinations stand out: the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets. 

It's too bad that none of them—with the possible exception of Dallas—would work out anymore. 

Here's why. 

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks have a lot going for them if Danny Ferry chooses to pursue Dwight Howard during the summer of 2013. Everything in Atlanta is set up perfectly for D12. 

Josh Smith and Howard are lifelong friends. They learned to play together, formed a potent AAU duo during their teenage years and continue to consider each other close acquaintances. Plus, a second friend of Howard's was thrown into the equation once Ferry traded Joe Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets and got Anthony Morrow in return. 

The friends are one factor, and Atlanta itself is another. Howard grew up in the sometimes friendly confines of Georgia's capital city, dominating during his high school career at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy.

However, it's still highly unlikely that Howard helps Atlanta use some of its seemingly unlimited cap space. The reason is simple.

When has a marquee free agent ever wanted to come to the Hawks? Its also rather notable that Howard hasn't even mentioned Atlanta as one of his preferred destinations.  

Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets had a great offseason, but they also killed any chance they had at luring Dwight Howard into a jersey whose design has yet to be released. 

Re-signing Deron Williams, Gerald Wallace and Brook Lopez while trading for the albatross of a contract associated with Joe Johnson tends to do that. As good as the massive spending spree by Billy King might make the Nets during this upcoming season, the money isn't there to sign Howard. 

Additionally, the Nets committed to Lopez by signing him to a max contract extension. While Brooklyn would have considered shipping the offensively-oriented big man to the Orlando Magic for D12, the Los Angeles Lakers aren't even going to pick up the phone if the Nets come calling with that deal. 

Nets fans aren't going to be too torn up over missing out on Superman though, not with the team they're ready to throw out onto the court for the 2012-13 season. 

Dallas Mavericks

Of the four potential destinations for Dwight Howard that don't include easy beach access, a certain city in Texas is the most attractive. 

The problem is that the Dallas Mavericks can't offer anything that the Los Angeles Lakers don't already have. 

Dirk Nowitzki is a great player to line up next to, but the Mavericks don't have multiple stars on the same level as Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Steve Nash. Dallas has Mark Cuban, but L.A. has Mitch Kupchak. 

The Mavs will jump to the front of the Dwight contenders if and only if the L.A. experience goes completely awry. 

Houston Rockets

The beauty of unrestricted free agency is that the player actually gets to choose his destination. No matter how much money Daryl Morey and the Houston Rockets throw in Dwight Howard's direction, it's highly unlikely that Superman would end up with the team. 

Unless Jeremy Lin spends the entire season playing like he did during his first few games in the New York Knicks' starting lineup, the Rockets just don't have enough to offer. 

Howard wants to win a title right now, not wait for a team to rebuild around him. While Houston might have a multitude of young, high-potential players, they aren't ready to contribute at an elite level. Not yet at least. 

If Howard was preparing for free agency after Chandler Parsons, Jeremy Lamb, Royce White and the rest of the young guns had developed, then we might be thinking about this differently.