Lakers eye Howard; Paul trade still alive?

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Lakers were turning their attention to Dwight Howard Saturday after the NBA nixed their trade for guard Chris Paul.

The Lakers were given permission to reach out to Howard's agent as were the New Jersey Nets and NBA champion Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles Times said.

The Orlando center is on the brink of free agency and is seen as a potential keystone of a Los Angeles lineup that would feature Paul and Kobe Bryant in the backcourt.

Meantime, the aborted three-team deal that would have brought Paul to Los Angeles was reportedly still in the works. The Times said efforts were under way to address the NBA's concerns that the New Orleans Hornets, who are owned by the league, would not have gotten enough talent in return for Paul.

"They're re-engaging," a source familiar with negotiations told the Times. "It's possible something could be put back together."

Lamar Odom and Pao Gasol, who were the other main pieces in the trade, reported to Lakers training camp Friday but did not participate, leading to speculation they would be moved in the near future.

"I don't know if (a trade is) going to happen overnight or it's going to be a drawn-out process," Odom told reporters. "Right now, I'll be a fan of the game from the distance."

The Times said Paul worked out with the Hornets Friday but did not speak with reporters.