Now that trade talks between the Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic have fallen through and are basically dead (per ESPN's Ric Bucher), there aren't many realistic landing spots for Dwight Howard.
According to the above report, negotiations fell through because the Nets "couldn't keep going back and forth with Orlando."
Also included in the report, the Nets had to make a decision on Brook Lopez, who was reportedly on the verge of putting pen to paper with either the Portland Trail Blazers or Charlotte Bobcats.
Talks aren't completely dead with other possible trading partners, though. Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix tweeted the following quote from Magic GM Rob Hennigan regarding the situation:
Magic GM Rob Hennigan: "We're not confining ourselves to a finite timeline. We're confining ourselves to a timeline we are comfortable with"
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) July 11, 2012
That would indicate that the Magic haven't completely given up on shipping Howard elsewhere for a king's ransom, leaving room for other teams to step in and try to get a deal done.
One of those teams could be the Los Angeles Lakers, according to the Washington Post's Matt Brooks (via Hoopsworld). Per the report, the Houston Rockets could join the Magic and Lakers in a three-team trade that would send 24-year-old center Andrew Bynum to the Rockets, Howard to Los Angeles and a slew of draft picks, prospects and salary cap relief to Orlando.
If that prospective deal comes anywhere close to fruition, Howard would be absolutely crazy to shoot it down.
Reason No. 1 being that he would be that much closer to playing for the Magic next season if another deal fails to happen. According to the Orlando Sentinel's Brian K. Schmitz via Twitter, Hennigan made that possibility well-known:
Hennigan also said he spoke with Dwight today and added "there's a chance, yeah" that Howard could return to ORL. Unbelievable.
— Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) July 11, 2012
It's nearly impossible to imagine Howard playing in Orlando next season, but if the Magic and their hopeful trade partners continue to hit the wall in negotiations, that outcome becomes increasingly more likely.
Howard clearly needs a fresh start elsewhere. His time in Orlando must come to an end after this dreadful, prolonged fiasco that has surrounded him for the better part of the last year.
Why wouldn't Howard want to flee to the West Coast and play for a championship contender?
The Lakers just added Steve Nash in a sign-and-trade, and they still have Pau Gasol on their roster, as well as a guy named Kobe Bryant.
One of the only reasons that make sense is that Howard doesn't want to be compared to the long list of legendary centers who have played for the franchise. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O'Neal have all donned the purple and yellow, and all have striking resumes for Howard to compare his to.
Whatever Howard feels regarding that situation is irrelevant to the fact that the Lakers have the makings of a championship team thanks to their addition of Nash.
Howard has never played with a point guard as fluid and creative as Nash, which should be even more enticing.
There's no reason for Howard to remain in Orlando any longer. Surely the fans love him, but his reputation will be forever tainted by the elongated charade he has put on.
The 26-year-old, three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year seems to be running out of options—as do the Magic. If a deal is struck between the Magic and Lakers brass, Howard would be wise to hop on board with the move.
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