It has been the biggest offseason issue in the NBA, The future of the NBA's best Center, Dwight Howard. The Lakers brought him to California with a massive trade involving other teams to try and get another Championship before reloading in 2014. Howard only had a year left on his contract and was always destined to explore free agency options this Summer. His handling of this has split Lakers fans with some being rather disrespectful to someone of the talent of Howard and others like myself wanting him to stay and sign a new deal but if he decided to sign for another Team I wouldn't hold that against him. That aspect is always interesting to witness when a star player is looking to leave. Just look at Wayne Rooney for Manchester United to see how divided fans have become over his future.
There has been speculation that Dwight Howard would walk if the Lakers backed D'Antoni yet that has been dismissed by many NBA pundits and I never took it too seriously. Coming back early from Back surgery and issues during the season with a torn labrum it is not surprising that we didn't see a consistent Dwight Howard but when the Lakers made that late season push for the Playoffs after a very surprising season Dwight Howard was looking like he could well help the Lakers to another Championship and pick up his first in doing so. Kobe Bryant has hinted at the idea of possibly playing more than his final season of his current deal and if the Lakers were the long term destination for Dwight Howard then the Lakers would be able to mount a challenge for the next few years. If he leaves however there would need to be work done in free agency and as the Lakers are over the cap they would need to have luck on their side and a lot of shrewdness. A returning Dwight Howard would be the best option for the Lakers. Howard plans to meet Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors and then finally the Los Angeles Lakers before making his final decision. The Lakers can offer more in salary but Dwight Howard is more concerned about Championship capabilities and that will have the final say.
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