Dwight Howard, Lakers Going Separate Ways? Sources Say Center Is Leaving L.A.

Free-agent Dwight Howard is leaning toward leaving the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, sources close to the All-Star center tell ESPN.

One day after the team erected life-sized billboards of him outside the Staples Center urging him to resign, the website is reporting Howard is equally intrigued by the idea of landing in either Houston or Dallas and may be willing to forgo an extra $30 million to do so.

The Lakers can pay Howard up to $118 million over five years, while the most any other suitor can offer is $88 over four years. But apparently Howard thinks his skill set may be better used in a system other than the up-tempo style used by Lakers Coach Mike D’Antoni.

Sources told ESPN 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. The source added, Howard’s biggest problem with L.A. is D’Antoni’s system and he might be open to remaining there another style was in place.

Many believe Houston is the Lakers' stiffest competition for 2013's top free agent, but sources say Howard finds Dallas just as appealing, if not more.

Dallas star Dirk Nowitzki has already indicated he would be willing to forgo salary in order to sign other players and the team is said to be actively trying to shed forward Shawn Marion’s $9 million contract.

Some close to Howard believe signing with Houston is his best option. Howard has been in constant contact with Rockets players James Harden and Chandler Parsons and likes the idea of playing from Coach Kevin McHale.

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