While many people around the NBA believe the Dallas Mavericks have put themselves in the best position to pursue Dwight Howard after the Nets forfeited their cap room to acquire Joe Johnson and Gerald Wallace, Orlando is reportedly focusing on a deal centered around LA Lakers center Andrew Bynum.
LA offered a similar deal at the trade deadline last season, but that was before Howard opted-in to the final year of his contract and let it be known that he wouldn't sign a contract extension with the Lakers.
Bynum is the best basketball deal the Magic could get for their franchise center, but there's no chance the Lakers would deal him unless they could be assured Howard would commit long-term.
Howard's reluctance to commit could put a huge crimp in Orlando's ability to deal, which would rebound to the Mavericks advantage, as long as they were able to come out on top in the Deron Williams sweepstakes.
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.