Dwight Howard is making the Los Angeles Lakers nervous.  More so than ever before.  Fearing it may have fallen as low as No. 4 on Howard's list, Los Angeles is reconsidering a sign-and-trade deal, ESPN reports.  The Houston Rockets or, surprisingly, the Golden State Warriors appear most likely to snag Howard.

For weeks now, the Lakers have been confident Howard would stay.  That confidence appeared to waiver over the fourth of July, according to an ESPN source.  The Lakers organization now fears it may have dropped to No. 4 on Howard's list of preferred destinations.

Howard met with five NBA teams since becoming a free agent on July 1.  While the Atlanta Hawks were told flat-out it was out of consideration, the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors are believed to be favored over the Lakers at this point.

With Howard reportedly interested primarily in winning championships, Los Angeles' ability to offer Howard $30 million more than any other team seems an afterthought.  The growing question of Howard's willingness to play with Kobe Bryant and under Mike D'Antoni also concerns the Lakers.  So much that Los Angeles is reconsidering its stance on a sign-and-trade deal, if Howard chooses to leave.

In the event of Howard departing, Los Angeles has indicated for months it would let him walk to reduce its luxury tax bill and create salary cap space for the summer of 2014.  Now, facing the very real possibility Howard does sign elsewhere, the Lakers are once more reportedly listening to all proposals.

The Rockets are ready for that possibility.  Shipping Howard to Houston could net the Lakers 7-foot center Omer Asik and guard Jeremy Lin, who played his best basketball in New York under D'Antoni.  Such a sign-and-trade would also allow Houston to sign another big-name free agent, be it this summer or next.

Golden State, from seemingly out of nowhere, emerged this week as a legitimate contender for Howard.  While the Warrior's salary cap situation is an obstacle, the team can acquire Howard by trading the expiring contracts of Andrew Bogut, Richard Jefferson and Andris Biedrins.  If the Lakers choose not to sign-and-trade Howard to the Warriors, ESPN reported that Golden State has interest from other teams in the three expiring contracts.

Howard is rumored to make his decision at some point on Friday.