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Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge placed a "courtesy call" in to Dwight Howard and his representatives to discuss the possibility of a sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Lakers and Howard had no interest, reports Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.
The Celtics have gone into a full-blown rebuild after trading head coach Doc Rivers to the Los Angeles Clippers, and sending Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets. The prospect of playing with the rubble remaining after tearing apart the "Big Three" was reportedly not an appealing option for Howard while he has five other suitors lined up to meet with him through Tuesday.
The Lakers have not discussed any sign-and-trade options with teams interested in Howard, but the Golden State Warriors are prepared to offer a sign-and-trade package built around Andrew Bogut's $14 million expiring contract and either Harrison Barnes or Klay Thompson.
Howard has already met with the Houston Rockets and will meet with Golden State and the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. The Dallas Mavericks will meet with Howard on Tuesday and his free agency meetings conclude with the Lakers afterwards.
- Drew
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