Dwight Howard: With Each Loss By Orlando, Howard Looks Better As an L.A. Laker
The Orlando Magic are contenders in the East, but only in name.
The truth of the matter is that unless general manager Otis Smith is a miracle worker, the Magic's Eastern Conference Finals' streak ends this season.
Orlando still has the NBA's top center in Dwight Howard, but the players that surround him are not likely to carry the team deep into the postseason.
The stakes have changed in the East, with a super team forming in Miami, the running of the Bulls in Chicago, a coalition of stars in New York and a nominal youth movement in Boston.
All of the above-mentioned instances reduce Orlando's perception as a true contender, and what happens to Howard once the perception becomes reality?
Will Howard trust in Smith to surround him with at least one comparable talent or will Howard seek his fortune elsewhere?
Some people have floated New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul's name as the player most likely to join Howard in Orlando, but if you haven't noticed, there are now doubts as to whether or not Paul is the player to help lead the Magic back to the top of the East.
Leg injuries seem to have robbed Paul of some of his former explosiveness and his Hornets, who sat atop the West earlier in the season, appear to be headed for a first round postseason exit at best.
There is a chance that Smith would still take a chance on Paul, even if he is not the same player, in an attempt to convince Howard not to leave as a free agent.
But what if Howard realizes that even a healthy Paul may not be enough to compete with teams such as Chicago, Miami and Boston?
Some analysts have floated the idea of Howard departing Orlando to join the Los Angeles Lakers and although a move like this would require a lot of work, it's not an impossible notion.
There is the question of what the Lakers would have to give up in order to acquire Howard, but unless the player's name is Kobe Bryant or Pau Gasol, I'm sure the Lakers would be willing to consider offers.
Andrew Bynum? Thanks for the memories.
Lamar Odom? See you later Candyman, and take Khloe and her sisters with you.
The same can be said for virtually any other member of the Lakers' roster, because if there is any chance at all to acquire Howard, then it's doubtful that Lakers' general manger Mitch Kupchak will pass on the chance.
And unless Orlando can miraculously make another run during this year's playoffs, Howard's services will probably be up for grabs beginning this summer.
During the Magic's victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, ESPN commentators Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson found themselves discussing Orlando's chances of reaching the Eastern Finals.
Jackson thought Orlando could reach the East Finals and Van Gundy thought a second round exit was more likely, but what's more telling is that neither thought the Magic were a true contender for this year's championship.
Most people outside of Orlando share this sentiment and it could be only a matter of time before Howard finds himself faced with a decision.
If Orlando doesn't win a championship this year, then they probably never will, even if Smith is able to sign Paul or even Deron Williams.
But if some rumors are true, Howard has already turned his gaze to the lights of Los Angeles, which is an encouraging sign because the Lakers are definitely looking at him.
