On Thursday, Chris Broussard of ESPN The Magazine reported that Howard is unlikely to re-sign with the Lakers.
There is very little chance of Dwight Howard re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. Howard is willing to forgo the extra $30 million the Lakers can pay him to play for a coach and in a system he feels will better use his skill set, one source said.
That doesn't sound good for the Lakers, but anything can happen in free agency. Howard has been the center of the basketball world before and has changed his mind repeatedly. Broussard gave his take on the Lakers' chances
Howard is notoriously indecisive, so the Lakers, while apparently major underdogs, should not be completely eliminated from contention. Before the 2011-12 season, he repeatedly asked the Orlando Magic to trade him, and then at midseason he opted in to the final year of his contract to remain in Orlando.
With all of the indecisiveness on Howard's part, there is absolutely no reason to rule the Lakers out. The team's main priority is to re-sign the big man.
He committed to the Magic after he made it clear that he wanted out, so it's possible that the Lakers can convince him to continue his time in purple and gold.
Los Angeles has one big advantage over every other team: more money. The Lakers can offer Howard a five-year, $118 million deal. Other teams can only offer him four years and $88 million.
The Rockets will need to dump some salary if they are going to sign Howard. With the draft over, it will be tougher for them to get a fair deal for their pieces. James Harden is signed to a big deal, and Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik will get big raises after next season.
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Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
