Monday, March 4, 2013
J-Smoove: D12 likely to stay with Lakers
By Nick Borges
Josh Smith has known Dwight Howard for a long time and he says "it would be a shock to me" if he didn't re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. And why is that J-Smoove?
"Dwight is a loyal athlete and loyal person," Smith tells the Los Angeles Daily News. "He's not a quitter and doesn't run from situations. That's why I believe with this franchise and the way he's talked so well about it, I can't see him going anywhere."
Howard is eligible to sign a five-year deal worth $117.9 million in the summer, while he can only get four years and $87.6 million with another team.
Smith and Howard played together on an AAU team and have talked about possibly being teammates again, although that will likely only happen if Howard were to go back home and sign with the Atlanta Hawks.
"If it happens, it'll be crazy," Smith said. "But you never know."
