#NBA Lakers Now Battling the Nets to Acquire Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard has requested a trade to the Nets, perhaps setting the stage for a move that could change the basketball landscape in the five boroughs and the NBA. The Nets are facing a stiff challenge from the Lakers, who are also targeting Howard after failing to land Chris Paul twice in a whirlwind four days. Read more after the jump.

A deal that would have sent Paul to the Lakers fell apart again late Saturday night. As a result, the Lakers turned their sights on Howard, reemerging as the top threat to the Nets.

The Lakers pulled out of the latest three-team deal for Paul, two days after commissioner David Stern vetoed an agreement because he said he felt it wasn’t good for the league-owned Hornets.

After they were unable to strike an agreement this time with the Hornets and Rockets, the Lakers were said to have pulled the plug, sent Lamar Odom to the Mavericks and set their sights on Howard.

They are trying to repeat history, 15 years after snatching away the last great Magic center — Shaquille O’Neal — from Orlando.

The Lakers can now offer a combination of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and whatever they will receive from the Mavericks in exchange for Odom. The Nets’ potential package for Howard is highlighted by Brook Lopez, draft picks and cap space.

Just before Howard took the initiative Saturday by making his trade demands public, Yahoo! Sports was the first to report that the three-time Defensive Player of the Year had specifically asked for his destination to be New Jersey.

“I know a lot of people are going to be upset,” Howard told the media in Orlando about his desire to leave, adding, “I’ve wanted to be more involved with what goes on with the team, and that hasn’t happened.”

NYDN