http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/s...-dwight-howardThe Los Angeles Lakers have consistently turned away trade inquiries in recent weeks for All-Star center Dwight Howard and still believe they have a strong chance of signing him to a new contract when Howard becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer, according to sources close to the situation.
But sources told ESPN.com this week the Lakers might be forced to reconsider that position between now and the Feb. 21 trade deadline because of Howard's growing unhappiness with his role under coach Mike D'Antoni and the potential that raises for Howard leaving them in July without compensation
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, however, said that a trade is not imminent.
"I don't think we're at the point where you say, 'It's time for a trade,' and a trade happens in three to four days. That's just not how this league works," Kupchak said in a phone interview with ESPN.
Howard has not publicly indicated any desire to sign elsewhere when he becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1 and came to Los Angeles determined to succeed with a minimum amount of fuss after the hits he took image-wise during his drawn-out departure from the Orlando Magic.
But sources say that Howard, as the Lakers' struggles have mounted, has dropped hints within team circles about his discomfort in D'Antoni's system and that he could consider moving on if things don't improve or change.
The Lakers, sources say, have been telling interested teams that they don't want to make a major move of any kind between now and the trade deadline given how tumultuous their season has already been
In addition to rebuffing the trade interest in Howard, Lakers officials are also reluctant to trade Pau Gasol for players who fit D'Antoni's system better -- despite Gasol's recent demotion to the bench -- because they still have no assurances Howard will stay beyond this season and don't want to risk losing both of their elite big men after trading away Andrew Bynum in the original Howard deal last August.
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They should trade him. He's going to walk out. He doesn't have the maturity to weather any kind of storm in LA. Shaq wad able to play with Kobe because he knows it was his team.Dwight's body language will tell you he hates not being the focal point in offense. He also fits in other market where his margin for error or stupidity is wider.
I love this drama..tbh I'm sure he's gone by the trade deadline or at the end of the season.
Let him go (trade)...if that is what he wants. Sign him if he will stay. Lakers are not winning a le in the nest few seasons anyway. We are smack dab in the middle of the Lebron era with a slight chance it may be the Lebron/Durant era soon. Lakers need to plan for the end of the King James reign ... instead of wasting money to watch James dance around on the court in June with a champions cap on his head.
sad times man....
stevekylerNBA: Howard also addressed the trade rumors saying "They feel like I could just walk away. And that is my choice at the end of the season"
AlexKennedyNBA: Dwight Howard: "I’m the guy that has to dominate for us to win. We’re not going to win unless I dominate."
1 hour ago
lakers have yet to realize what a venal he is imho. it's definitely not the first time threatens to leave as a FREE agent but at the end of day he'll always opt in so he will get the biggest $ possible.
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