When Mitch Kupchak broke the news that Phil Jackson was playing the role of consultant in the Lakers front office, nobody knew how that would affect the Lakers pursuit of impending free agent Dwight Howard.
Earlier this week it was reported that Howard was unlikely to re-sign in LA citing his disdain for head coach Mike D’Antoni’s system and grumbling about playing alongside Kobe Bryant.
Jackson and Howard have maintained some sort of relationship as the two admitted to texting each other during the season when times were rough in Lakerland. However, Jackson is going to his house in Montana and doesn’t sound like he’ll be in the Lakers meeting on Tuesday, but had some words for Howard on Twitter before he left:
@dwighthoward “i’m going up to the country going to paint my mailbox blue.” While i’m there I expect to see you get on board tis ur place
— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) June 30, 2013
The Lakers have maintained that they want to be the last team to speak with Howard as they’ve implored an aggressive marketing strategy by placing “Stay D12” billboards around Los Angeles.
Jackson’s role as consultant showed itself yesterday as it’s being reported that his longtime assistant Kurt Rambis could join D’Antoni’s staff.
If Jackson is as active as it looks within the Lakers organization when it comes to personnel decisions, it could be that push that sways Howard to stay in Hollywood and chase the organizations 17th NBA championship.
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