Despite all rumors suggesting that Dwight Howard is supposedly leaning towards signing with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak remains confident that his All-Star center will return in a Lakers uniform next season.
Since the Lakers' exit interview, Kupchak's views on the situation have remained relatively the same:
"No different from what I said at the end of the season. We have a dialogue, and we do talk, but we're not allowed to negotiate until July 1. We talk about when he's getting in the gym and what he's doing, how his back is feeling and things like that. From the conclusion of the season to July 1 is two months, so it's important to work on your body and your game in that time."
Laker fans should feel pleased to hear that Kupchak has maintained a form of relationship with Howard during this time, but the fact is that they're still waiting for Howard's decision. However, Kupchak and the Lakers front office will be prepared for whatever happens with Howard:
"That is the major moving piece. That will determine a lot about what we do. It's the one decision we will have to wait on. Then we will try to have a plan a, plan b, plan c depending on what happens. It moves quickly, so it's not like you can go to a plan b with certainty. There will be 29 other teams looking to improve their teams on July 1. But all of the "what if" scenarios will be talked about, reviewed and ready to go."
As Kupchak prepares for anything, there's members within the Lakers who still would like to know what Howard is thinking.
Point guard Steve Nash appeared on The Dan Patrick Show and spoke on his hopes of getting a chance to speak with Howard on the issue.
"Yeah, absolutely. He's just one of those guys that draws so much attention it always seems to come out wrong, possibly, too, you never really know. So I'll definitely talk to him. It appears he's going to do the circuit, but I'd like to hear what he's thinking."
Howard wasn't the only topic of discussion during his interview, however. Nash also spoke about his chances of going to the Miami Heat instead of the Lakers this past offseason when he was a free agent:
"No, you know I wasn't. Obviously I knew it would have been a great opportunity basketball wise. I ended up making the decision so I could be close to my kids, and they're in Phoenix so that trumped everything [...] The other thing was I was getting three year offers elsewhere and Miami would have been a one-year opportunity had we explored it."
The thought of Nash in a Heat uniform is entertaining to say the least, but Laker fans should hope to have a healthy Nash and Howard in uniform for next season.
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