Dwight Howard Will Not Sign With The Lakers

There is very little chance of Dwight Howard re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, according to sources close to the situation. Howard is willing to forgo the extra $30 million the Lakers can pay him to play for a coach and in a system he feels will better utilize his skill set, one source said.

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The Lakers can offer Howard a five-year, $118 million contract while other teams can only pay him $88 million over four years.
Howard plans to meet with Dallas, Houston and Atlanta before meeting with the Lakers once teams are allowed to contact free agents beginning July 1, a source said. It appears that the teams will visit Howard in Los Angeles.
Howard is notoriously indecisive so the Lakers, while apparently major underdogs, should not be completely eliminated from contention. Before the 2011-2012 season, he repeatedly asked the Orlando Magic to trade him and then at midseason, he opted-in to the final year of his contract to remain in Orlando.
Howard's major problem with the Lakers is the system Coach Mike D'Antoni employs. Beyond that, he did not enjoy playing with Kobe Bryant, though he could manage to do so in a different system, a source said. Howard also does not want to be second fiddle to Bryant for several more seasons.
While many believe Houston is the Lakers' stiffest competition, sources say Howard finds Dallas 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. The Mavericks are trying to shed Shawn Marion's $9 million expiring contract to create the room to sign Howard, according to sources.
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.
Some close to Howard believe signing with Houston is his best option. Howard has been in contact with Rockets players James Harden and Chandler Parsons, both of whom are heavily recruiting him.
Howard, however, has concerns about the Rockets' style of play, sources say. While he likes the idea of playing for Coach Kevin McHale, he sees that they play an up-tempo, perimeter-oriented style that does not feature post play.
To get Howard, the Rockets will have to convince him that they will play a style more conducive to his skills.
Atlanta, Howard's home town, is a long shot. As ESPN.com reported two weeks ago, Howard was willing to go to Atlanta with Clippers free agent Chris Paul. But the recent signing of Doc Rivers as the Clippers' head coach has assured that Paul will remain in Los Angeles.
Howard would love to do a sign-and-trade deal that would allow him to play with Paul and the Clippers, but neither he nor the Clippers believe the Lakers will agree to such a move, sources said.