Lakers, Magic still talking Howard trade

Multiple sources reported Tuesday that the Los Angeles Lakers continued to talk with the Orlando Magic about acquiring all-star center Dwight Howard.

The Lakers want a commitment from Howard that he will agree to a contract extension before they agree to a trade with the Magic.

A source familiar with the Lakers’ interest in Howard told ESPN.com that the dialogue between Los Angeles and Orlando is “ongoing” but right now a trade would be “very tough to pull off.”

Howard had demanded a trade to the Nets, but talks broke down between the Nets and Orlando last week.

The Houston Rockets and Lakers had discussed several trade scenarios with the Magic. In those talks, the Rockets were offering to serve both as the team that would acquire Howard in a direct trade between the clubs and also as a third team that would participate in a trade that lands Howard with the Lakers and brings All-Star center Andrew Bynum to Houston.

Sun and wire reports

Tags: sports, nba, basketball