While there is “widespread belief” that the Los Angeles
Lakers won’t trade Dwight Howard, several teams feel the Atlanta Hawks are set
to make a “serious run” at the center, according to Ken Berger of CBS Sports.
There's widespread belief that the Lakers won't trade Dwight Howard. However, several teams believe Atlanta will make a serious run at him.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) February 19, 2013
Howard has received assurance from Lakers general manager
Mitch Kupchak that he won’t be traded. Still, questions remain regarding the
big man’s future in Los Angeles and whether or not he’ll re-sign with the club
this summer.
Rather than risk losing him for nothing, the Lakers could
elect to trade him before the upcoming deadline. Howard is thought to want to
play first for the Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks, but there is also
reported interest in Atlanta.
The Hawks are a team that appears poised to make some sort
of deal this week, as they’ve reportedly been fielding offers for Josh Smith.
If they were to acquire Howard, Atlanta would have room to sign him to a max
five-year deal this summer.
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