Nets considered three-team trade with Timberwolves, Lakers

Dec 29, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) against the Phoenix Suns at the Target Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Suns 111-107. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Nets tried all last summer to acquire center Dwight Howard from the Magic before he was ultimately dealt to the Lakers.

Howard’s time with the Lakers is not going too well as the team is struggling to build chemistry, with little hope in sight for a quick turn-around. According to Mike Bresnahan of the LA Times, before the Lakers’ Wednesday morning shoot-around, Bryant directly asked Howard if he disliked playing with him.

"“Guys went at each other a little bit,” said a person who witnessed the meeting."

With the Lakers’ locker room potentially about to explode—if it hadn’t already—the Nets are reportedly ready to make another run at Howard.

Three-team trade?

At about the time Kevin Love re-injured his hand in early January, Nets GM Billy King was prepared to pursue a three-team trade with the Timberwolves and Lakers, that would have sent Love to Los Angeles, Brook Lopez to Minnesota and Howard to New York, according to Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM.

Rudolph, citing sources, said the Nets believed the Lakers would be interested in a healthy Love, not an injured Love, even if they’re facing missing the playoffs.

The Lakers reportedly asked for Love when the Timberwolves inquired about forward Pau Gasol last summer.