The trade talk surrounding superstar center Dwight Howard may finally be coming to an end with the Brooklyn Nets potentially out of the running and the Los Angeles Lakers, and Houston Rockets back in the mix.

Reportedly, the Lakers may have become the frontrunners to land Howard by sending Andrew Bynum to the Rockets. Houston will send draft picks to the Orlando Magic in return.

It appears that this might be the best trade scenario for the Magic as they’ve failed to make anything work with Brooklyn. There’s no question that the Nets may still end landing Howard if they can bring in a third or fourth team, but chances are that the Lakers have turned the tables with a proposed deal that goes through the Rockets.

Even though the Lakers may have greatly improved their chances of bringing in the superstar center from Orlando, the uncertainty of an extension being signed remains to be the biggest problem for any team outside of Brooklyn.

Howard has let it be known that he intends to sign no contract extension with any team other than the Nets. This statement, that he seems to be sticking to, is what has prevented a trade from being made over the past year or so. The Nets are extremely interested in bringing in Howard to create the next Big 3 in the league with Joe Johnson and Deron Williams, but a trade seems very difficult to complete.

With that being said, the deal with the Lakers and the Rockets may be the best bet for the Magic. Howard may not like the option of being second fiddle to Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, but it’s hard to argue that the addition of Howard alongside Steve Nash, Pau Gasol and Kobe is a powerhouse.

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