While Dwight Howard signaling that he would agree to a possible extension with the LA Lakers removes one possible hurdle to a deal that would send him to LA, another one still remains, according to a report from the Akron Bacon Journal:
Andrew Bynum's agent, David Lee, told me he has had zero conversations with #Cavs GM Chris Grant about a possible trade. "I would imagine any team involved in this trade would be smart enough to talk to us," Lee said, referring to the fact Bynum is entering the final year of his deal.
The only way for the Lakers to acquire Howard is to deal Bynum, either to Orlando or a third team like Cleveland and Houston, and neither team is going to give up the pieces to get a franchise-caliber center without Bynum agreeing to a contract extension.
The Dallas Mavericks are one of the many teams ready to pounce if Bynum is dealt by LA, and there's no indication as to who the enigmatic center would agree to on an extension.
It's looking like the Lakers will end up with either Howard or Bynum, with Dallas ready to pounce on the other in free agency. Of course, pouncing isn't enough, one must catch the target, but at least there will likely be a conceivable target for the Mavericks headed into the summer of 2013.
For all the latest news and notes on the Mavericks free agency plans, stay tuned to the SB Nation Dallas story-stream as well as Mavs Moneyball.