Lakers Rumors: Back in the D12 Sweepstakes? How the Lakers Can Acquire the Star

This just came in, and according to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers are back in the hunt for Dwight Howard, as the major proposed blockbuster deal between Brooklyn and Orlando has all but collapsed:

The Cleveland Cavaliers are no longer willing to be third-team facilitators for a blockbuster trade that would send Orlando Magic All-Star center Dwight Howard to the Brooklyn Nets, severely jeopardizing the Nets' ability to acquire Howard, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Dwight Howard has indicated the Nets are the only team he will re-sign with after the season. The development has pushed the Magic to continue negotiating with several teams, especially two teams in the Western Conference: the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets.

SportsCenter also confirmed the report via Twitter:

Source: @Orlando_Magic have reopened negotiations w/teams other than the @brooklynnets for Dwight Howard » es.pn/Mfx7GV

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 10, 2012  

So, after reports surfaced stating Andrew Bynum's refusal to sign a contract extension with the Orlando Magic, how can the Lakers still acquire Howard?

Andrew Bynum recently tipped his hand in regard to his preferred destinations should he not sign a max contract with Los Angeles. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks were the reported teams.

While the absurdity of these choices are fodder for another article for another day, there is one team on this list that shares common ground with the Lakers.

The Rockets have been reportedly doing everything in their power to obtain Orlando's disgruntled star. They feature a deal that includes desirable draft picks and loads of cap space they could use to absorb a bad contract or two.

On the other hand, the Lakers are stuck at ground zero with Bynum unwilling to relinquish his "I hate Orlando" stance.

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