Lakers keep Dwight through trade deadline, no moves made

Dwight Howard will be with the Los Angeles Lakers for the remainder of the season, and the team made no moves leading up to an uneventful passing of the NBA trade deadline. No trades for the Lakers, as confirmed by Mike Bresnahan of L.A. Times.

Despite trade winds surrounding the center, just as Mitch Kupchak has said all along, Howard was not traded. On Wednesday Kupchak called Howard the "future" of the organization. Howard later responded by saying since day one the plan has always been that he is a part of the Lakers' future, and that he wanted to win a ring "here". While there were reports that the Atlanta Hawks could make a run at Howard, nothing surfaced, and Dwight will wear a Lakers jersey until he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

The Lakers did, however, attempt to make a few minor moves. Initially, it was reported that a handful of their bench players (Steve Blake, Chris Duhon, Devin Ebanks, Darius Morris) were available for 2nd round draft picks. However, there was no interest in the selection of players, and they too will remain Lakers.

Daniel Gibson of the Cleveland Cavaliers was a target before the deadline, but the Lakers were unable to put together and acceptable deal for the expiring guard. The Lakers were also rumored to be linked to Raja Bell, but just like every other Lakers' rumor, nothing came of it

The Lakers focus going forward, with trade chatter now muted, is sneaking into the playoffs. They passed the Portland Trail Blazers and are now 9th in the Western Conference, but remain 3.5 games back from the 8th seed Houston Rockets.

The circus around Dwight being traded has passed, next up: free agency in the Summer.

- Drew

- Follow this author on Twitter @DrewGarrisonSBN

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