The Dwight Howard sage continues to top the news of the NBA. With each game he does not play well, the trade talks heat up questioning the center's future with the Los Angeles Lakers. His relationship with star Kobe Bryant appears on the rocks and he continues to underachieve as a player. So where could Howard land? The Atlanta Hawks could be gearing up to attract the center, however Howard says he has no interest in heading south next season.
Howard is an Atlanta native so a trade with his hometown team seems plausible. The high school legend could rejoin the Hawks and reunite with past high school teammates, Josh Smith and Anthony Morrow. A trade scenario for Howard could include sending Al Horford and sharp shooter Kyle Korver to Los Angeles. Howard already has playing experience on Smith and Morrow, their high school team is considered one of the best in AAU history.
Howard is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. He will be interested in a new deal. This is where a trade to Atlanta becomes flawed. The Hawks are already dealing with Josh Smith's contract and potentially large extension at the end of the season. The team could not take on him and Howard at the same time. They are considering trading Smith, the only star-power the team has that would attract Howard. With Smith out, the hope of the Hawks getting Howard are slim due to lack of a supporting cast.The Lakers would be able to offer Howard about $20 million more than any other team and the large-market setting Howard was interested with in the first place.
As the Lakers continue to struggle and head towards an underwhelming and disappointing season, the trade rumors will only heat up as fans want answers and solutions to the problems. While trading Howard might seem like the likely solution, sources say Howard wants to remain with the team and the team wants him back as well.
Howard's father told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that his son is likely to re-sign with the Lakers, squashing the hopes and dreams of Hawk's fans who hope to see the hometown hero come back. The storylines on Howard are likely to continue throughout the rest of the season and well into free agency.