Broussard: Howard 'very unlikely' to re-sign with the Lakers

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<a name="broussardvideos"></a>Houston will get the first meeting with Dwight; Mavs to meet with him Tuesday; Lakers will get the last word.

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Radio
Broussard:

Good news is this: It's Dwight. He's prone to changing his mind. He doesn't like this is out there now. He's upset about it and thinks it's making him look bad and that could work in your favor. Big part of why he opted in in Orlando is because he felt he was looking so bad publicly. He is concerned about his public image. Maybe that will work in your favor. Also, Kobe & Mitch and the Lakers get the last word. Dwight is prone to being swayed. Those are the things working in your favor. And he does love LA. He's looking for reasons to stay in LA but he does not like at all playing in that system. He's not happy being second fiddle to Kobe but the main issue is he's in a system not utilizing him to the best of his ability.

Bigger problem: system or Mike D'Antoni the person, the coach?

It's not the person but more the style of play. He has a few issues with the situation as is but it's how Mike utilizes him on the floor.

How do those two work together?

It will be difficult to get Dwight back if Mike remains as coach. Let say it happens, I don't think it's going to go well. My thinking is Mike D'Antoni will get fired eventually. He'll be fired within the next year. They're not going to be any good. Why not do it now?

Still say very, very unlikely? How many very's?

I'll stay with two. I've heard, I've been told he isn't coming back. You don't know. He asked Orlando to trade him and he opts in. He'd be in his dream destination Brooklyn if he never opts in. You never know with this guy but I've been told he isn't going back.

Plan B, C, or D for the Lakers?

I do not (know). Reports are they would let him walk and have the cap space. Personally, Dwight would love to go to the Clippers and play with Chris Paul. He doesn't think it can happen but I'm told, initially when that report came out-when I wrote it a few weeks ago, the Clippers were definitely open to sending Griffin and Bledsoe there, or at least looking at it. If I'm the Lakers, if I get max cap room, Griffin is the type of player I'm trying to sign. Why not do it? I've had coaches around the league, including some who have worked with Dwight, and they said, if they're the Clippers, they wouldn't do it. It would be good for both teams. I understand you don't want to put a powerhouse in your building but you have to do what's best for you too.

You know Dwight. Do you see this dragging out or quick decision?

He'll visit other teams. I've been told those meetings will be in LA. Houston & Dallas he'll definitely meet with. Atlanta possibly. Golden State is trying to get in there. They'll have to do a sign and trade. Beyond that, no reason to think he's going there. He'll meet with these teams. I don't think he'll let it drag out too long but I'm thinking we'll know before the moratorium ends. But again, with a guy like that, you have to be fighting until he signs on the dotted line.


Broussard:

Talk about the latest. Why are the Mavs a better possibility than the Rockets?

I don't (think they are). Personally, I think the Rockets are his best option but I'm told he really likes the Mavs. It's neck and neck between them two. What he likes about Dallas - it would be his franchise. In 2014, they'll have cap room to build around Dwight. He looks back as his time in Orlando, a team built around him, and was able to go to the Finals. He thinks he can do that again in the right situation in Dallas. And Rick Carlisle, he would know how to utilize Howard to the fullest. Houston - he likes the potential they could have. He wants to make sure they would play the style that would best suit him offensively and defensively. In playing with a superstar perimeter guy, he prefers it to be a PG who is passing the ball instead of a SG.

Possible the Mavs are benefiting from his unstable personality?

I wouldn't put it that way. It's just what he wants to do. He is fickle. That's why the Lakers, you can't totally write them off. You don't know what Dwight is liable to do. As far as the Mavs, he sees Cuban is one of the better owners, they'll go any lengths to build a championship team, Dallas is smaller than LA but still a big city. I think those are some of the things he likes. He likes Dirk. Those are some of the things Dwight likes about the Mavs.

 

Dwight is contemplating firing Dan Fegan? Not sure if that was his 4/5 o'clock update.

 

Not very good?

But if they don't get anyone, they can tell him the franchise is all yours! Just like you wanted!

But no, I agree. All this talk of being the man, having his own franchise, this and that, sounds like hogwash.

As I said previously, if he wants to be the man, the franchise, the face, gets plenty of touches, wants input into roster decision-making, he should have stayed in Orlando. He had it all there.

You can talk about winning but I'm sorry, you're not winning alone, being "the man". The world's greatest player couldn't quite win alone. Not a knock on either but you need help. If he wants to win, wherever he goes, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Oklahoma City, Cleveland, New York, Brooklyn, Indiana, San Antonio, Golden State, you're second fiddle or at least sharing the stage with another star player.