Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
When Dwight Howard was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Los Angeles Lakers last summer it was supposed to instantly make the Lakers a title contender. The line-up of Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace, Pau Gasol, and Dwight Howard would prove to be a starting line-up to be reckoned with. But, as the Lakers stand at 16-21, getting ready to take on the Milwaukee Bucks tonight, the excitement of a 17th championship coming to L.A has dwindled, and now Laker fans are just hoping their team can make the playoffs.
The Lakers are currently 4 games out of the eight seed in the Western Conference, a position that is usually reserved for the Lakers counterparts, the Los Angeles Clippers, and an uncomfortable spot for everyone involved with the Lakers organization. Numerous players have expressed their frustation at a season that now seems to be a lost cause. Additionally former Laker greats, including Magic Johnson, have questioned the Lakers front office moves, and the decisions made by Jim Buss, most notably the hiring of Mike D’Antoni.
With all of the questions surrounding the Lakers many people have wondered, is what Dwight Howard really wants in an NBA team? The Lakers don’t seem to be getting any better, they are currently the second best team in their own city, and the 11th best in their own conference. One of the key driving points in Howard requesting a trade from Orlando was his desire to win an NBA championship, a goal he has at the top of his to-do list.
With the losses continuing to mount, and the possibility of being in a better situation next season, albeit a little less money as the Lakers can offer him the most money of any team, Howard could possibly be headed for another colossal fiasco. He has not yet requested a trade, and many people do not expect he will, but could Lakers management simply sense his unhappiness and decide to deal him and cut their losses?
Well, according to numerous reports it simply won’t happen. Theses reports have made it clear that their is no possibility of Howard being traded, or of the Lakers even floating around the idea. Although Howard could possibly sign on in a better situation this off-season, he cannot get the money anywhere else that he can get with the Lakers. And even though many people do no believe that a slight differential in money can be a factor in an athlete’s decision to choose their next team, it does indeed play a huge factor.
Unless Dwight Howard specifically asks to be traded from the Los Angeles Lakers, and I can’t foresee a scenario like this happening, then he will be a Laker for the remainder of the season.
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