Throughout the entire process the Lakers have been the favorite to retain Howard’s services with the ability to offer a fifth year on a new deal and $30 million more than any other team in the league. The money and the attraction of playing in Los Angeles under the bright lights is enough to convince most players to sign on the dotted line without much thought, but Howard is taking his time and seriously considering the Houston Rockets as a viable option.
As free agency draws near, the Lakers’ front office will continue to stick by the stance of re-signing Howard to a five-year deal for the maximum amount, but a contingency plan needs to be in place in the event the superstar center heads to Houston.
It remains to be seen whether or not a plan is in place and what that plan consists of, leaving Lakers fans with a lot of uncertainty once again.
Lakers Nation News
Phil Jackson Calls Kobe-Shaq Relationship ‘Greatest Challenge’
Lakers Rumors: Phil Jackson Says Kobe, Shaq Spat Was Overblown
Phil Jackson Does Not See Reason For Howard To Stay In LA
Lakers Rumors: Dwight Howard Deciding Between Lakers And Rockets
A Sales Pitch To Dwight Howard: Why To Re-Sign With The Lakers
Bryant, Gasol And Howard Tweet Support For Oklahoma Tornado Victims
Lakers News: Phil Jackson Says Lakers Coaching Job Was Offered To Him
Free Agents Dwight Howard, Chris Paul Planning Atlanta Rendezvous?
VIDEO: Former Lakers, NBA Stars And More At Sports Spectacular 2013
NBA News: Phil Jackson Compares 1999-00 And 2008-09 Lakers Teams
Lakers Rumors: Dwight, D’Antoni Partnership Possible Despite Frustrations?
Lakers Rumors: Dwight Howard Expressed Frustration With D’Antoni
Kobe Plans To Spend Time With Dwight To Convince Him To Stay
Steve Nash Thinks Dwight Howard Will Keep His Options Open
Lakers News
Phil Jackson Throws The Book At Kobe Bryant [LA Times]
Kobe Bryant Is Highest-Paid Athlete In LA [LA Times]
TWC SportsNet To Air Top 50 Plays Of Lakers’ Season On Wednesday [LA Times]
Kobe Bryant Tweets He Wants Dwight Howard And Pau Gasol Back [LA Times]
Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol Tweet Prayers For Oklahoma Tornado Victims [LA Times]
Kobe Bryant Tweets On Retirement, Michael Jordan And His Own Memoir [LA Times]
Ding: Lakers’ Kupchak Wants Howard The Right Way [OC Register]
Kupchak Disputes Report Howard Unhappy With D’Antoni [OC Register]
Jackson Questions D’Antoni’s Use Of Dwight Howard [OC Register]
Ding: How Phil Jackson Can Still Teach Lakers [OC Register]
Might The Myth Of The 5th Year Be Reality? [Silver Screen & Roll]
How Unlikely Is A Dwight Howard/Chris Paul Future? [Silver Screen & Roll]
Nothing Wrong With Dwight Expressing Frustration [Silver Screen & Roll]
Phil Jackson’s ‘Eleven Rings’ Is A Highlight After A Rough Season [Forum Blue & Gold]
Thinking About Dwight Howard’s Next Contract [Forum Blue & Gold]
NBA News
NBA Rumors: Celtics Considering Trading Paul Pierce For Eric Gordon? [Sports City]
NBA: Phil Jackson Talks About His Greatest Challenge As A Coach [Sports City]
VIDEO: Grizzlies’ Quincy Pondexter Posterizes Boris Diaw In Game 2 [Sports City]
LeBron James Is Ready To Challenge Pacers’ Roy Hibbert In The Paint [Sports City]
NBA Mock Draft: Is Nerlens No. 1? [SB Nation]
Paul George’s Burden [SB Nation]
Memphis’ Encouraging Adjustment [SB Nation]
No Prize Guaranteed For Cavs [SB Nation]
Kevin Durant’s Large Back Tattoo Finished… Except Maybe For A Typo [Pro Basketball Talk]
Tony Parker To Have “Precautionary MRI” On His Calf [Pro Basketball Talk]
Report: Mike Krzyzewski To Return, Coach Team USA In 2016 Olympics [Pro Basketball Talk]