As the Dwight Howard trade rumors continue to swirl, Mitch Kupchak and the Los Angeles Lakers feverishly try to progress on a deal with Rob Hennigan for the Magic's franchise center. One big report to come out on Sunday was that Chris Grant and the Cavaliers could help facilitate a deal between the Magic and Nets, but Cleveland was thrown around in a separate report from Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The centerpiece of any deal sending Howard to the Lakers would almost certainly involve Andrew Bynum landing with the Magic. But while Howard would likely sign a long-term extension with the Lakers, Wojnarowski reports that it's believed Bynum would rather not stay in Orlando if dealt there. One team he is considering -- should he hit the open market next offseason -- the Cleveland Cavaliers. Via Wojnarowski:
Bynum, 24, has one year left on his Lakers contract and has a short list of potential teams with salary-cap space and supporting cast that primarily include the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets with the Cleveland Cavaliers and a "couple others" on the list, league sources said. If Bynum remains with the Lakers past the Howard derby, he'll have strong incentive to accept a maximum contract extension to stay in L.A., sources said. Otherwise, he has expressed a desire to test the free-agent market.
Obviously, the big hang-up is an actual deal between the Magic and Lakers coming to fruition. Hennigan and Orlando would have little incentive to pull off the trade if they're receiving strong signals that Bynum would be on board for just one year. But as a Cavs fan, it's certainly exciting to have Cleveland thrown into the mix as a potential free agency destination for such a high-profile player.
For more 2012 free agency coverage, stay right here with this StoryStream. For more on the Cavs, be sure to visit Fear The Sword. And for more NBA news and coverage this offseason, check out SB Nation's NBA hub.
