It’s tough to fathom Dwight Howard willingly leaving the Lakers for another team, because historically, stars don’t choose to leave the Lakers. They choose to stay. But with the unpredictability of Howard, anything is possible.
The Lakers have met with Howard and reports indicate that they appear to be on the same page. But who knows what that means. One days he seems “likely” to stay, then the next day it’s the complete opposite. Because of this, the Lakers are reportedly open to consider a sign-and-trade involving Howard, so that they’re not left in the cold.
Yet, there were indications late Thursday that Lakers officials, already bracing for the worst, had begun to rethink their long-held position of ruling out sign-and-trade options in the event Howard decides to bolt to one of L.A.’s rivals.
One source briefed on the Lakers’ thinking told ESPN.com that, if the extra fifth year and nearly $30 million they can offer Howard isn’t enough to hold off the competition, they would be forced to “look at everything.”
H/T: ESPN
