The Los Angeles Lakers have "very little chance" of signing Dwight Howard, who doesn't enjoy playing with Kobe Bryant and coach Mike D'Antoni, Chris Broussard of ESPN reports. The news bodes well for the Dallas Mavericks, who reportedly are Howard's preferred destination.
D'Antoni is the biggest reason Howard doesn't want to play in Los Angeles. Howard doesn't feel D'Antoni's system is conducive to his style of play and doesn't want part in it, according to the ESPN source. Howard also wants to be the star of any team he's on, and he doesn't "want to be second fiddle to Bryant for several more seasons."
Playing with Bryant is an issue, but it's secondary to Howard's issue with D'Antoni's system. Although Howard didn't enjoy his time with Bryant, he could play with him again if it was in another system.
Being the centerpiece of a franchise appears to be a determining factor for where Howard chooses to play. The Houston Rockets were considered the frontrunner for Howard, but Broussard's source admitted the Dallas Mavericks are just as appealing, if not more.
"Assuming the Mavericks are able to clear enough cap space to offer him a maximum-salaried contract, Howard is strongly considering joining Dallas," Broussard wrote on Thursday. "... Howard likes the idea of being the top superstar of a franchise and with Dirk Nowitzki aging, Dallas would be viewed as Howard's team.
"Howard also believes the Mavericks can build a championship roster around him with the ample cap space they will have in the summer of 2014."
While playing with James Harden and Chandler Parsons in Houston is promising, Howard doesn't believe their perimeter-oriented offense would include heavy amounts of post play.
Given the signing of Doc Rivers by the Los Angeles Clippers, Howard's chance of playing with Chris Paul appears gone - it's unlikely the Lakers would do a sign-and-trade with the Clippers, which is the only way the Clips can acquire the center.
News of Howard's discontent in Los Angeles comes the day after the Lakers unveiled their ad campaign to get the All-Star to stay.
Howard becomes a free agent on July 1.