Sports

Howard will "study the Lakers' present and future against those options available to him in free agency," and has apparently come to realize that his legacy will be defined by whether or not he ever cultivates a winning image. Mitch Kupchak has reiterated that the Lakers will not trade Howard, and the team will roll the dice on his long-term decision. The Lakers don't normally lose free agents, especially when the competition from teams that could be interested in Howard as a free agent don't present the opportunity to win at the highest level.