Although Dwight Howard has mentioned the Los Angeles Lakers as one of the teams he'd like to be traded to, he wouldn't automatically sign an extension with them, according to Lakers radio announcer John Ireland (via Pro Basketball Talk).
"So if the Lakers trade for him they're getting him for six weeks. And they would have six weeks to convince him to stay for a long term deal. Now, that's an incredible risk to take."
Any team looking to trade for Howard would rather have the guarantee that he stick around longer.
It's not to say the Lakers wouldn't take such a risk, however. Having Howard could mean a sixth title for Kobe Bryant, which should be enough to convince him to stay for a few more years.
Then again, Howard could bolt for Dallas or New Jersey anyway, leaving L.A. without their superstar of the future or the priced pieces they gave up to acquire him.
There is no financial incentive for Howard to sign an extension upon being traded because under the new league rules sign-and-trades only provide players with minimal salary increases and no chance at a max deal.
But if a team like the Lakers were to acquire Howard and hope he's convinced to stay come summertime, they could offer him the max deal that only Orlando can offer him right now.
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