Yet, at the end of the day, the Lakers trump the Clippers as potential suitors for the three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Even after the Orlando Magic fired head coach Stan Van Gundy, it appears nothing will make the All-Star center happy enough to sign an extension to remain with the only franchise he's played with during his eight-year NBA career.
Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops reported that Howard still wants out of Orlando and that several teams will be in the running for his services.
Sheridan also goes on to say that Howard now sees both Los Angeles franchises as options, rather than returning to Orlando for another season.
That brings us to the Lakers' chances.
They have a general manager in Mitch Kupchak who's not afraid to pull the trigger on a big deal. He also recently told ESPNLosAngeles.com's Dave McMenamin that he wouldn't rule out major trades to improve the team.
While it's doubtful that the Magic would be interested in taking back Pau Gasol in a Howard deal, the Lakers still have Andrew Bynum to offer, who is a bigger trade chip than almost any other team in the Howard sweepstakes can offer.
SI.com's Sam Amick feels that a Bynum for Howard deal needs to happen for both teams.
Much has changed for both teams since earlier this year, when trade talks about this scenario never progressed, in part because neither Howard nor Lakers star Kobe Bryant seemed ready to give up his alpha dog status.
But the dynamic has changed, and it's one of shared desperation at this point. Both Howard (whose Magic have lost in the first round two consecutive years, the latest with him sidelined because of back surgery) and Bryant (whose Lake...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
