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05:33 PM ET 01.11 | The Los Angeles Lakers' struggles have made some wonder whether Dwight Howard will actually sign a long-term extension to stay with the franchise when he becomes a free agent this summer. Executive vice president Jim Buss was posed this question recently, and he seemed confident that the Lakers would be able to persuade Howard to stay no matter what happens. "If we make the playoffs, that means we're playing well and I think we'll go deep in the playoffs and it's a no-brainer that he stays," Buss said. "I think if it continues to fall apart because of injuries, I'm hoping we can convince him, 'Look, everybody was injured, you weren't 100 percent for the whole year, let's give it another shot next year.' It points to 95 percent that we'll be able to keep him. I can't control what he does, but I can sure make a great argument."

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

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January 11, 2013 05:42 PM ET

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Does this mean Kobe is going.

Guns N Guitars

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January 11, 2013 06:30 PM ET

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I don't think a lot of people respect Jim Buss' judgement at this point.

(Didn't he say ... "there is a 95% chance that DAntoni will be a better coach than Phil Jackson" ... ???)

Chrisgar

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January 11, 2013 06:46 PM ET

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Jimmys backpedaling as fast as he can

Dogue-dude

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January 11, 2013 09:52 PM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 06:30 PM ET 01.11 by Chrisgar

I don't think a lot of people respect Jim Buss' judgement at this point. (Didn't he say ... "there is a 95% chance that DAntoni will be a better coach than Phil Jackson" ... ???)

No one is perfect, 5% wrong.

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January 11, 2013 11:35 PM ET

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QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 10:12 PM ET 01.11 by LTCFisback

not very good even when healthy.

Let's not get carried away.

El_Tiny Hippo

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January 12, 2013 02:43 AM ET

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I don't know man ... DH has shown all signs of leaving after this year. I would bet on that 5% .. :)

BigBoyUSA

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January 12, 2013 10:39 AM ET

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Make Him An Offer He Can't Refuse, Bro.

I Love LA

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January 12, 2013 10:50 AM ET

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It's an interesting question, just what is Howard worth? From what Buss said above, they will be offering the max no matter what, which is odd given how disjointed the Lakers are. And the competition in the league is much better with OKC and now the Clips, so standing pat isn't the best option.

Maybe the plan is to somehow cash Pau in, but at $19mil, he is a tough player to move. And Pau is still a good player for the Lakers, in spite of his struggles this season.

Red Mamba

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January 12, 2013 11:25 AM ET

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RT @RoyceWebb: Only 2 teams haven't won in 2013: Dwight Howard's old team and his new team
LOL

Magic and Lakers suck

The Lakers are just flat out garbage- that was not even a game last night...o how the mighty have fallen

TWeb86

River Grove , IL

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January 12, 2013 11:30 AM ET

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i mean- at no time was the outcome of that game ever in dispute...RW and Durant just gutted the Lakers on their home court

the Lakers looked scared

TWeb86

River Grove , IL

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January 12, 2013 11:38 AM ET

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why would Howard come back to play with this garbage supporting cast that is 15-21 and going to miss the playoffs?

go to Atlanta and play with Teague, Lou Williams, JSmoove, Al Horford- and your hometown wont put any pressure on you to actually improvve your game dwight...you can just be the big goofy kid that you want to be