Dwight Howard to Lakers: Kobe Bryant Is Key to Bringing Howard to Hollywood

ESPN recently reported the New Jersey Nets may be willing to to part with young center Brook Lopez as part of a package to acquire Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, and with that bit of news the 2012 free-agency sweepstakes have officially begun.

If ESPN's report is true, the Nets' overture to the Magic and Howard is just the tip of the iceberg, and due to the NBA's failure to close the sign-and-trade loophole during salary structure negotiations, there will be no shortage of suitors seeking Howard's services.

The Nets have enticed Howard with the possibility of playing alongside an elite point guard in Deron Williams, which is pretty much the same thing the Chicago Bulls would do if they chose to publicly enter the fray.

The Magic will try to lure Howard into re-signing by playing up to his sense of security through familiarity, while simultaneously offering promises to upgrade the team's roster to its NBA Finals peak of 2009.

New York's media market combined with the sights, lights and sounds of the city would definitely be a strong selling point, as it was to Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, but I'm not convinced the Knicks have the money or the creativity to sign Howard.

I'm not sure if Howard would want to begin the most important part of his career playing beside Anthony and Stoudemire either.

Howard's decision in 2012 or prior to it will go a long way towards determining the shape of his legacy, and while he could potentially be successful with Anthony and Stoudemire in New York, Howard will have to share the glory.

Howard is certainly dominant enough to shift the Knicks' offensive and defensive focus in his direction, but on a team with Anthony and Stoudemire there would always be a debate about who matters more.

That brings me to the speculation concerning Howard and the Los Angeles Lakers. While considered absurd by some, Howard is actually a natural fit for the Lakers, especially because of Kobe Bryant.

The immediate reaction to that statement would probably fall along the lines of if Howard wouldn't be able to share the spotlight with Anthony and Stoudemire, how in the world could he coexist with Bryant?

Never mind the point that I feel Bryant and Howard would form a great tandem; in any case, if Howard did choose Los Angeles during free agency, the marriage would only be temporary.

Bryant is a little older than any of the league's other elite superstars in New York, Chicago, New Jersey or Miami, which gives the Lakers an advantage none of these other teams can boast of.

Once Bryant decides to retire in the next few years, Howard could become the unquestioned centerpiece of one of the greatest franchises in NBA history.

If Howard decided to leave Orlando for Los Angeles, other players would come to play with him.

After the Magic's loss to the Lakers in Game 5 of the 2009 NBA Finals, Howard sat on the bench and soaked up the Lakers' victory celebration on his home floor.

I could tell Howard savored that moment, but more importantly, since then he has played like he is determined to lead his team back to that stage.

Only problem is, it's doubtful if Howard can do that in Orlando because of the quality of the roster. He could certainly contribute to the title dreams of any of the other teams mentioned above, but they each already have leaders.

The Lakers also have a leader in Bryant, but in two or maybe three years he will retire, and Howard could follow in the tradition of the other centers of attention that have played in Los Angeles.

I'm sure there are plenty of other factors that will play into Howard's decision, but if Howard truly wants to come to the Lakers, the NBA's new luxury tax wouldn't prevent the team from trying to acquire him, so money will not likely be an issue.

Howard's decision could boil down to whether or not he wants to lead a team to the NBA Finals or simply be a part of something special. If Howard wants to be truly remembered as a legendary player, the Lakers should have a decent shot if they choose to pursue him.