Howard has gone from being a remote possibility in Los Angeles, to a virtual lock, to a mystery.
Just as soon as RealGM.com reported Dwight Howard would sign an extension with the Lakers if traded, Howard's agent, Dan Fegan, told Ric Bucher of ESPN:
Dwight's position has remained unchanged since the end of this past season. He fully intends to explore free agency at the end of next season, regardless of what team trades for him, including Brooklyn.
The logistics of this are simple. If Howard plays at the level he has throughout his career next season, he will stand to make more money as an unrestricted free agent in 2013. It's business. It's the kind of business that makes people call superstars "greedy" and "self-centered," but it's business.
So why should the Lakers trade for a player who hasn't guaranteed he'll sign an extension before he hits free agency?
Well, it's actually all about Andrew Bynum, believe it or not.
In my opinion, as I've stated before, I think the Lakers have a better shot of keeping Howard in L.A. than Bynum.
Why?
Because Bynum and the Lakers have not only had their fair share of quarrels, but Bynum also apparently already has a list of destinations he'd consider when he hits free agency in 2013.
None of those destinations include Los Angeles.
So, if you trade for Howard, you at least have a shot of having an elite center past next season. If you don't trade for Howard, you could have nothing once Bynum hits free agency.
It's hard to even imagine the Lakers not having an superstar center given the franchise's history. Oh wait, that was in the 2004-05 season, when they lost Shaquille O'Neal and didn't have Bynum y...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
