Los Angeles Lakers centre Dwight Howard (12) pushes Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) away from a rebound during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, in Chicago.Charles Rex Arbogast/The Associated Press
The Los Angeles Lakers might consider dealing all-star center Dwight Howard before the trade deadline in February, according to reports.
Howard, in his first season with the Lakers, has become increasingly displeased with coach Mike D'Antoni's system, though he has refrained from sharing those thoughts publicly for the most part
There's also the possibility that the team won't be able to re-sign him after the season when he becomes a unrestricted free agent.
Howard, 27, was acquired in a four-team trade with Orlando, Philadelphia and Denver during the off-season.
"I don't think we're at the point where you say, 'It's time for a trade,' and a trade happens in three to four days," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak told ESPN.com. "That's just not how this league works."
The Lakers (17-24) are struggling under D'Antoni, who this week relegated veteran big-man Pau Gasol to a bench role. But Kupchak remains confident that D'Antoni can do the job.
"I think if you spoke to him, his vision on Day 1 was dramatically different than it is today," Kupchak told ESPN.com. It's the coach's job to adjust and to make changes. Sometimes a player is just not going to fit. Sometimes a coach has to make changes and compromise in the way he's done things and I think that's what Mike is going through right now is just the process."