Dwight's Agent: Howard won't sign extension in LA

[j804]

The agent for Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard refuted reports that his client has decided he will sign an extension with the Los Angeles Lakers -- if traded to them.

"Dwight's position has remained unchanged since the end of this past season," said Dan Fegan of LaGardere Unlimited. "He fully intends to explore free agency at the end of next season, regardless of what team trades for him, including Brooklyn."

A source said the Nets never insisted Howard commit to an extension as a prerequisite for acquiring him, which Nets president Billy King confirmed in a text message.

Howard told the Magic, according to GM Rob Hennigan, he would like to be traded to the Brooklyn Nets above any other team. The Nets made concerted efforts to strike a deal for Howard earlier this month, but were forced to stop when the Charlotte Bobcats threatened to sign their restricted free agent center, Brook Lopez, to an offer sheet.

Lopez was expected to be a key part of any deal with the Magic and signing an offer sheet could have preempted including him in any deal, depending on the terms of the offer sheet. The Nets then signed Lopez to a four-year, $61 million deal.

Since then, the Lakers have become the primary suitor for Howard, recruiting both the Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers as potential third-team participants to deliver the salary relief, draft picks and young talent that Orlando is seeking in return for their All-Star center.

The longest Howard could sign an extension, according to ESPN Insider's Larry Coon, would be two years if he signed with Orlando and was traded, or three years if he signed after being traded.

If he waits until his current deal expires, Howard would be eligible to sign a new five-year deal for as much as $108 million.

http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?storyId=8182883


Great news just keeps coming, how u Faker fans? 

[Snakehead]

Yeah it's time to check myself out of Dwight news for real and stop getting sucked back in.

It's just a joke at this point.

[Fafnir]

I wonder who the heck leaked the previous report then?

Someone in Howard's "circle" who is pushing him to head to LA?

[CelticG1]

Is Dwight Howard in hiding? Has anyone seen his face in months?

[Chris]

This actually makes a heck of a lot more sense.  It would have been pretty dumb of him to sign an extension with a team, since he would be leaving a lot of guaranteed money on the table that he could get by waiting until the end of the year.

This was the exact same thing we went through with Chris Paul and Deron Williams.  They said they wouldn't sign and extension when they were traded, because an extension is for much less money than they could get by waiting until the contract expires, and they sign a Bird Rights contract.

And honestly, I think any team expecting Howard to sign an extension right now, is asking for way too much.  The best they can hope to get is an assurance from Howard that he will consider them in the offseason.  And since they will be able to offer him much more money than any other team at that point, they would have the inside track.

[SHAQATTACK]

The LAKER NATION  .... has a 1000+ page thread on HOWARD !!! I know it sucks to vist there , but it is amazing.

it has been run , shut down , now started again,   I almost felt sorry for them ....ALMOST  , ....they are INSANE about bringing him out there. It is all they talk about.... 24/7

That bunch out there NEVER gives up .  

[SHAQATTACK]

This actually makes a heck of a lot more sense.  It would have been pretty dumb of him to sign an extension with a team, since he would be leaving a lot of guaranteed money on the table that he could get by waiting until the end of the year.

This was the exact same thing we went through with Chris Paul and Deron Williams.  They said they wouldn't sign and extension when they were traded, because an extension is for much less money than they could get by waiting until the contract expires, and they sign a Bird Rights contract.

And honestly, I think any team expecting Howard to sign an extension right now, is asking for way too much.  The best they can hope to get is an assurance from Howard that he will consider them in the offseason.  And since they will be able to offer him much more money than any other team at that point, they would have the inside track.

What is killing the LAKER NATION by the minute is Kobe getting older ,  they will squirm and rant like crazy if Howard doesn't join their team this year.  all you  will read  is  "ANOTHER YEAR WASTED"  ... boo hoo ...   ...  For LA fans to wait ANOTHER year to get Howard will "CRUSH" them.  Nash will be old as Sheed , and Kobe what 35?

For the LAKER faithful... Howard needs to be here this year.....what is funny to me ..is I still think they are a better team with Bynum than without....if they make him feel like the big wheel ...he'll probally play like it.

Still ..if Kobe has a injury like ACL/broken foot ect or such ...won't matter anyway....he is getting old...HEE  HEE HEE 

[slamdunk]

Would anyone be surprised to hear/see the following headline?

Howard Re-Signs with Magic; Reiterates Trade Demand

[Finkelskyhook]

And what else did Dwight Favre have to say?

[mctyson]

This actually makes a heck of a lot more sense.  It would have been pretty dumb of him to sign an extension with a team, since he would be leaving a lot of guaranteed money on the table that he could get by waiting until the end of the year.

This was the exact same thing we went through with Chris Paul and Deron Williams.  They said they wouldn't sign and extension when they were traded, because an extension is for much less money than they could get by waiting until the contract expires, and they sign a Bird Rights contract.

And honestly, I think any team expecting Howard to sign an extension right now, is asking for way too much.  The best they can hope to get is an assurance from Howard that he will consider them in the offseason.  And since they will be able to offer him much more money than any other team at that point, they would have the inside track.

The problem with your theory here is that he is coming off of back surgery.  What if he plays like crap next year?  What if he gets hurt again, and the problem is chronic?