Thursday, July 19th, 2012 at 9:00 am  |  99 responses

Dwight Howard Ready to Sign Extension With Lakers if Traded?


by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

The Dwightmare is far from over, but it is one step closer to some kind of resolution. Reportedly, anyway.

Having long resisted the idea of playing in Los Angeles — due to concerns about hooping alongside Kobe Bryant, and in the shadow of Shaquille O’Neal’s legacy — Dwight Howard is said to have finally come around.

According to RealGM and ESPN, Howard is now willing to sign a long-term contract extension with the Lakers should they manage to trade for him:

Dwight Howard has long coveted the Brooklyn Nets as his next landing spot, but after a summer filled with daily rumors of four-team trade proposals, the six-time All-Star has moved on from his Big Apple infatuation and is locked in on joining the Los Angeles Lakers, sources say. The Lakers, Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly discussing a three-team trade that would send Howard to the Lakers, Andrew Bynum to the Cavaliers, while the Magic would receive Anderson Varejao and multiple draft picks.

The Lakers are reportedly ready to make the trade, but first need assurance from Howard that he will commit to the team long-term. Sources say Howard is “excited” about the opportunity to play for the Lakers and will re-sign with the team when his contract expires at the end of the 2012-13 season.

Regardless of Dwight’s change of heart about playing in Hollywood, the Orlando Magic are still in no rush to get rid of Howard — nor should they be, despite how grating this whole saga has been for everyone.

The Magic front-office will wait for as long as humanly possible until the right deal materializes for the NBA’s best center, and that could take a while.

Dwight Howard has been in Los Angeles ever since he had back surgery, doing rehab and attending baseball games, and should the stars align, he might be staying there for a long time.

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  • Boom bostic

    Mofos! This is the best damn deal… Get rid of him already

  • http://www.newyorkshockexchange.com Shock Exchange

    This is a big step. The next step is Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum at the same ____ time … assuming the Lakers are serious.

  • http://juan.garcia@computershare.com PutUrMomma2Wrk

    Gasol is not getting traded. keep up please.

  • bull22

    his new name DWIGHT O’NEAL.

  • Mas

    Gasol for Amare straight up. Nash would love this and Melo too.

  • http://www.newyorkshockexchange.com Shock Exchange

    Notice, I included the caviat “assuming the Lakers are serious.” They can either fish or cut bait.

  • http://cnbc.com JTaylor21

    This potential deal rests on the shoulders of Andrew Bynum. It’s all up to him whether or not he’s willing to resign in Orl or Cle, if not…this deal is a no go.

  • Heals

    Varejo and late-1st rounders, wow. 18 months and this is what Orl has to show for it. I’d keep em’ all year and just do a sign and trade next summer if “that” is all that DH12 can fetch right now…

  • pposse

    as if the lakers didn’t already have an illegal unit out there. If they keep artest, they are going to have 3 former/present all defensive first team players in their starting lineup, along with a 2 time MVP. Couple that with the LA homecourt advantage, and there you have it folks, the should be championship favorites in vegas for sure.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2Pm_5aIavU&feature=g-all-u Max

    Nash and Dwight would be nashty

  • http://www.newyorkshockexchange.com Shock Exchange

    BREAKING NEWS … Sorry L.A. fans, the Shock Exchange has just learned that Thor is not available.

  • Jer dawG

    F Dwight. I’m not paying time Warner cable to watch Lakers play. F them all. Dwight is an a-hole.

  • Nashty

    If that happen, We’re gonna see a lot of alley oops and the Lakers will definitely on the top of the Western Conference and maybe Finals.

  • O

    It was bound to happen. Lakers always get what they want. They couldve gotten CP3 last year had Stern not put a stop to it.

  • Kas

    Don’t do it Lakers!

  • T-Money

    so bynum and howard are getting traded in the deal and orlando doesn’t get either? if it’s really varejao + picks.. i’d drag this until next summer if i were orlando. you can get that deal anytime you want.

  • Ash

    Bad trade for Orlando..they keep Hedo big contract on the books plus Jason Richardson and Chris Duhon..that GM may be too young he’s making a bad deal. At least the Nets were willing to take Jason Richardson and Chris Duhon contract smh

  • L Dribble

    Surely Brook Lopez, unloading bad contracts and picks is better than Varejao and late round picks? Are the Magic gonna unload any stupid contracts on the Lakers?

  • eZ

    Dwight really comes across as a weak minded individual…
    Anyway, I think this will be dissapointing a lot of expectations.
    Think 2004 chemistry with even worse results.
    Th etype of player and person nash is, and kobe is, and dwight seems to be. Pau getting even less touches, when dwight has to get his, dwight resenting kobes shoot first style, kobe ofcourse not wanting to back down and always take the important shots, metta going even more nuts. Jamison thinking he could’ve been scoring 18 a game in charlotte, @home with his kids…Too many different personalities, personal agenda’s…I don’t know call me pessimistic….Oh and the injury bug and all them old backs and legs….. ; P

  • pposse

    the only reason why a team with kobe, howard, nash, metta, and gasol will lose is if the coach doesn’t scheme/coach properly. This potential laker team may be a little old on paper, but both nash and kobe can get to the ft line pretty much wenever they want, and all of them besides howard normally show up in crunch time situations. If this team had LBJ instead of kobe, this would be one of the best teams ever; if howard goes to the lakers they will definately be the best in the west.

  • TSmoove

    Breaking News: Dwight Howard trade gets blocked for basketball reasons and is then shipped overseas for stock in Real Madrid

  • http://redoftoothandclaw.ca/ niQ

    @cosign L… Varejao is solid but, Brook Lopez has more upside, if he can stay healthy…

  • http://www.newyorkshockexchange.com Shock Exchange

    @pposse Curious, (i)why did a team of Horry Jr, Gasol, Bynum, Odom, and Metta now win the ‘chip each of the past two years and (ii) why would a team of Horry Jr, Gasol, Bynum, Metta, and Nash be fiendin’ for Howard to begin with?

  • http://Slamonline.com Jzakoni

    dwight howard for Anderson Varejao and picks? you have got to be freeking kidding me right now. How stupid is orlando for not doing the lopez humphries and brooks trade now….

  • pposse

    Shock, Horry Jr. said it best “we wet the bed.” They definately wet the bed against dallas two years ago. The Lakers and Horry Jr. should have been winning rings since 2000. 5 aint enough with the talent Horry Jr. has been playing with imo. It seems to be tho that Kobe needs either Fish (his uncle), Shaq (big brother) or Phil (his father) to win rings. They shouldn’t be fiendin but like you said before LA treats the whole NBA as their own farm system.

  • Lakerfan

    DH Is coming to the Lakers,I wonder how Is the Magic Fans gonna react?.

  • http://slamonline.com Datkid

    what jzakoni said. SMMFH

  • http://slamonline.com Datkid

    you’re really just going to adopt shock exchange’s idiotic nickname for kobe without even a hint of Irony? You don’t belong here pposse

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    it’s funny how this deal is considered better for Orlando than the New Jersey one.
    Really people? Lol.
    So, if this goes through, Kobe would have played with four of best big men in every era of his career.
    Hilarious.

  • Percy Jackson

    Damn this was bound to happen and you guys calling Kobe “Horry jr.” are queer

  • robb

    Whatever…

  • flimo

    If this deal goes through the Lakers will be a better team on paper, but a worse team on the court.

  • dungeon family

    This part of the Dwight Saga is equivalent to Goku turning Super Saiyan in the Frieza Saga……but still 12 more episodes before the saga is over.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    ^nice reference.
    Used to watch that show on VHS in college.
    I don’t want this to happen. I want him in Brooklyn.

  • http://www.reverbnation.com/tray24 T-Ray

    dungeon stays with the dbz references. Props one of the best shows ever.

  • http://slamonline.com Brion

    So Stern blocks CP3 from going to Lakers, but its OK for Howard? Hmm.

  • pposse

    datkid i was speaking in terms of what shock would understand, but i really don’t need to tell you that. Who are you to say where anyone belongs son? You read way too much into words that are typed out, i get it, sarcasm is a little harder to detect online. Should i paraphrase everything that i write out like a movie script? Is that what you want young buck? (i am callin you youngbuck in reference to your name) – see how long and drawn out that process is.

  • http://slamonline.com Krishan

    Haha try watching dbz on tv for one episode everyweek its enough to drive you insane. Its like watching paint dry on a rainy day.

  • LA Huey

    Pretty sure it took more than a mere dozen episodes for them to wrap it after that moment. Point stands though.

  • http://www.reverbnation.com/tray24 T-Ray

    Sometimes the whole episode would be dedicated to unraveling the origin of the extinction of the Saiyan race.

  • http://slamonline.com Datkid

    It was kind of a joke Pposse… don’t take it too serious.

  • http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

    @ dungeon: Or when Goku is like half-dead when he starts the spirit bomb, and a full season later… he’s still lying half-dead doing the spirit bomb.

  • O

    I miss those Dragonball Z and GT sagas. Broly was that nucca! Imagine him as a SS level 3 or 4? It would’ve been over for Goku and his fam.

  • james

    @allenp did you seriously watch dragonball z in college? anyways, go lakrs this would be a cool trade make things interesting in th league.

  • Dee

    Regardless what happens, the Lakers will end up with one of those 7 footers…if they do nothing, they’ll have Bynum for at least this season. If they decide to wait, they could sign Howard next season. Orlando should’ve made the trade when they could’ve got more but seeing how the talent level of some of these college players, those lottery picks could put Orlando in a good position in the future. Seeing how good Miami, Boston, New York and New Jersey look, this may not be a bad thing. But getting back to Howard, he has a chance of being on a team with 2 really good defenders in Kobe and Metta…then you add a floor general like Steve Nash with Jamison coming off the bench. They’re going to be a tough out for anyone! I’m hearing, its’Bynum who’s not willing to commit to signing an extension if he goes to the Cavs, who could have there own version of the big 3 (Irving, Waiters & Bynum)if he decides to sign long term. Mr. “I don’t care b/c every city has a bank” is now the main reason this trade hasn’t happened. C’mon Bynum…man up!

  • http://slamonline.com SWIFTboy

    I’m a little late on this but @ dungeon kills it with the DBZ analogy.

  • http://juan.garcia@computershare.com PutUrMomma2Wrk

    So if Kobe wins two more chips, does that make him Horry Senior?

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    James
    Yep. We watched Dragonball Z, we played GoldenEye and Mario Kart on 64, we played basketball, we talked to girls and we had an awesome time at all of them.
    Howard University, BISON!

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Oh, we went to class too.

  • http://www.kb24.com The Seed

    Howard should have push for this trade last year, now Bynum trying to act like he something special. I truly believe Bynum would go to Cleveland, Houston or Dallas and sign a contract. Howard want those rings, and forget about Shaq legacy in LaLa land, it was short lived anyway.

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