Losing Steve Nash to the LA Lakers could end up being a double-fisted blow to the Dallas Mavericks, as Nash could help convince Dwight Howard to come to LA.
According to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, Howard has been dubious of the Lakers due to Kobe Bryant's preference to shoot the ball as much as humanly possible. However, Nash's ability to distribute the ball could change his mind:
"I think with Nash in the house now, they wouldn't need an assurance up front," one league executive tied closely to the Howard trade talks told Yahoo! Sports. "They know that Dwight can be impressionable and craves Hollywood. I think they would take that chance."
With the Nets lacking the salary cap room to obtain Howard, the Mavericks have been trying to position themselves as a potential suitor in 2013.
However, a deal to LA may keep Howard off the market permanently, but it could still become an opportunity for Dallas. Any deal between the Lakers and the Magic would send Andrew Bynum to Orlando, but Bynum, who is set to be a free agent in 2013, may not see much of a reason to re-sign with the Magic either.
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.