NBA Trade Rumors: Why Dwight Howard Will Not Be Traded to Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers should continue their pursuit of Chris Paul because after all is said and done, they will never boast Dwight Howard.

As Chris Paul trade rumors continue to dominate headlines, less consideration than usual has been devoted to where Howard will wind up. While it's possible that the resolution to Paul's saga will directly impact where Howard lands, there are a few things about his potential move we can already surmise—one being he is not getting traded to the Clippers.

Why? After all, don't the Clippers possess the ability to offer an array of assets in return for the big man that other teams cannot? And isn't Los Angeles prepared to do whatever it takes to obtain Howard?

That first part is true, but the second is debatable. ESPN's Chris Broussard reported that the Clippers' top priority was Howard, but their emergence in the Chris Paul sweepstakes says otherwise. Or perhaps it says that it became clear to the team Howard wasn't a legitimate option.

The Clippers do have an array of assets, including multiple big men, to offer the Orlando Magic in exchange for Howard, but has he shown any inclination he would like to join the team? Blake Griffin is a promising young talent, but is there room enough for both him and Howard in the Clippers' paint?

One would like to say yes, but the truthful answer is no. Howard is not incapable of complementing other big men, but Griffin differs from players like Amar'e Stoudemire and Josh Smith in the sense that he has no outside game. Both he and Howard would be fighting for position in a limited space, which could lead to disaster.

Additionally, Howard's apparent affection toward the Lakers has recently been made even more public by Matt Barnes. If you are the Clippers, do you really see yourself competing with the natural allure that lies with becoming a member of the Lakers?

Not at all.

The Clippers have the ability to assemble a team that rivals in talent to the Lakers, but cannot hold a kindle to the rich history and symbolism that is associated with their cross-town adversaries.

Could the Clippers ever compete with that aspect of the Lakers' organization. The symbolism perhaps, but in terms of history, never. The Lakers are the poster team for the NBA. Big threes in Miami and New York will come and go, but the Lakers are a team that is never rebuilding, and always contending.

How can the Clippers compete with that?

They can't, so even if they assemble the Magic's dream offer—or come as close as possible to one for Howard as there is—neither Orlando, Howard nor the Clippers can guarantee he will stay, especially when he will have a bird's eye view of the Staples Center.

Howard's loyalties lie with the Lakers—that much we know. And as indicated by the Clippers' pursuit of Chris Paul, it seems that they are privy to his as well.

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @Dan_Favale.