Lakers News and Rumors Recap: All Eyes Still on Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard JPGDwight Howard has a big decision to make by the start of the summer, but money may be the biggest factor keeping him in L.A. If the big man signs a max contract with the Lakers, he will be set to make 118 million dollars. No other team can offer him close to this deal. The deal would be for five years, as opposed to a max contract of $88 million on a four-year deal with another team. Despite a wishy-washy demeanor towards remaining here, Dwight may put iffy feelings aside for the dollar.

According to SportsBook.com, the odds of Dwight choosing the Lakers are in their favor. Right now, the Lakers are leading with 4/7 odds to keep Dwight. The next best competition for Dwight is the Rockets with odds of 11/4. A major factor going for the Rockets is a younger roster with the likes of Harden and Lin. Both players, with Dwight, really have the opportunity to bring it next year. But, 30 million dollars less for just one extra year to play will be tough for Dwight to pass up.

Metta took to twitter recently to give MJ some major props. Despite all the great guards in the NBA, World Peace believes Michael Jordan is the toughest person he has ever had to guard, claiming:

“He gave me 40 in my defensive prime. He was 40 yrs old. In my prime there was no better defender ever.”

The Warriors and Spurs both won their series and will play Monday in round two. But a number of teams are scrambling to stay alive tonight. Let’s take a look:

  • Knicks vs. Celtics, Game 6 (New York lead series, 3-2) @4 p.m. PT on ESPN
  • Pacers vs. Hawks, Game 6 (Indiana lead series, 3-2) @ 4 p.m. PT on ESPN2
  • Thunder vs. Rockets, Game 6 (OKC lead series, 3-2) @ 6:30 p.m. PT on ESPN
  • Clippers vs. Grizzlies, Game 6 (Memphis lead series, 3-2) @ 6:30 p.m. PT on ESPN2
  • Tomorrow: Bulls vs. Nets, Game 7 (series tied, 3-3) @ 5:00 p.m. PT on TNT

With the Los Angeles Lakers out, who will you be rooting for? Tweet and tell us: @LakersNation

Make sure to get your gear this summer and deck out head-to-toe in Lakers garb. LN scouted the web to find some of our favorite pieces to keep you as fly as ever. Don’t forget to also look at Lakers Nation one of a kind gear here.

Lakers Nation News

Lakers Gear Report: Be Ready For Summer With New Lakers Merchandise

Lakers News: Kobe Bryant Likes To Take Long Bike Rides In the Desert

Mitch Kupchak, Former Fan Villain, Now Represents Hope for Future

Metta World Peace Reveals Toughest Player To Guard in the NBA

NBA News: Phil Jackson Agrees To Help Coaching Search For Pistons

Odds Favor Lakers As The Team Dwight Howard Plays For Next Season

NBA News: Former Jazz Head Coach Jerry Sloan Considering Return

Lakers News

What Went Wrong With the 2012-2013 Los Angeles Lakers … Big Men? [Silver Screen and Roll]

Four Questions From Lakers’ Exit Interviews [Forum Blue and Gold]

Dwight Howard Injury Update [THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS]

Defense was Biggest Impediment to Lakers’ Success [Lakers Index]

Mike D’Antoni Seems Secure in Position, Buys Manhattan Beach Home [latimes.com]

2012-13 Lakers Report Card: Bench Backcourt [Los Angeles Lakers Blog]

Kobe Bryant of Los Angeles Lakers Battles Mom, N.J. Business Over Auction [ESPN Los Angeles]

Jackson to Advise Dumars in Pistons Search [Fan Nation]

Dwight Howard Should Love L.A. and the Lakers [latimes.com]

Dwight Howard Advised Surgery not Necessary on Right Shoulder [Inside the Lakers]

Kobe Bryant, Mom Fighting in Court [Lakers Blog]

Dwight Howard: Contract Decision Centered on ‘right to be happy’ [latimes.com]

What Next for Lakers After Tumultuous Season? [Yahoo! Sports]

Kobe Bryant, Mom Feud Over N.J. Auction [USA Today]

NBA Playoffs 2013 – Breaking Down the Lakers’ End [ESPN]

Report: Phil Jackson to Advise Pistons [Lakers Blog]

Kobe Bryant: Bond With Dwight Howard Strengthened After Home Visit [latimes.com]

2012-13 Lakers Report Card: Bench Frontcourt [Lakers Index]

NBA News

Who is More Likely to Blow It, Knicks or Thunder? [USA Today]

Pacers Get Lift at Home, Rout Hawks for 3-2 Lead [Yahoo! Sports]

Golden State Warriors Coach Mark Jackson Fined $25,000 [ESPN]

Possible Top 10 Draft Pick Alex Len Out 4-6 Months After Ankle Surgery [ProBasketballTalk]

Fred Hickman Recalls Casting Lone MVP Vote Not for Shaquille O’Neal [latimes.com]

Joakim Noah Says Chicago Bulls Will Win Game 7 Against Brooklyn Nets [ESPN Chicago]

Damian Lillard Wins the NBA’s 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Award [Ball Don’t Lie]

Hanson Wrote This Year’s Thunder Rally Song (and it isn’t ‘MMMbop’) [For The Win]

Knicks/Celtics Game 6 All About ‘Melo, New York [ProBasketballTalk]

Zach Randolph of Memphis Grizzlies Has No Sympathy for Blake Griffin of Los Angeles Clippers [ESPN]

Things Looking Up for ‘NBA Countdown’ [OC Register]

LeBron James Joins Elite Company with Fourth NBA MVP [USA Today]

Gerald Wallace Airballs a Layup Into Loneliness [For The Win]

Karl Malone Says He’s Proud of Jason Collins for Coming Out [ESPN]

Kevin Durant on Royce White: “Who’s that?” [ProBasketballTalk]

Harden Powers Past Illness, Lifts Rockets 107-100 [Yahoo! Sports]

Athletes wearing Google Glass [For the Win]

Denver Nuggets Broadcaster Scott Hastings Calls Mark Jackson Classless [ESPN]

Toddler with pants down strolls through Rockets’ postgame show (VIDEO) [ProBasketballTalk]

There Are 16 Possible NBA Playoff TV Schedules for Sunday [For the Win]

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