Andrew Bynum-Dwight Howard deal still up in air

Dwight Howard is not the only All-Star center of efforts to tackle the problems these days.

Andrew Bynum could soon face a decision about his future.

Agent Bynum, David Lee, said Thursday that his client did not I say that if I wanted to sign a contract extension with another team than the Lakers, a measure that is widely regarded as a precursor to any trade involving Howard.

"We never had this conversation," said Lee. "If we had a conversation whenever he spoke of a business, would be talking about other teams that the Lakers would do."

There were conflicting reports that Howard would be open to signing a long-term extension with the Lakers should operate the center of Orlando unhappy.

 Howard would likely stay with the Lakers in the coming years, ESPN, said Howard's agent, Dan Fegan, who said his client intends to explore free agency, the summer 2013, no matter what team traded for him.

A trade involving Howard also could be caused partly by the desire of Bynum.

A report by Yahoo Sports said that the Cleveland Cavaliers would be willing to participate in a three-team trade involving Howard had said that if Bynum is committed to its long-term.

The Cavaliers should be granted permission to get in touch with representatives of Bynum, according to the report, only after the three teams involved in the trade had accepted the framework for the agreement.

Lee said there are teams like the Lakers had called to talk about any potential transaction involving Bynum and destinations for its customers, which will become a free agent after the season.

"I think at a time when someone wants to know where is," said Lee, "but this is just my feelings."

Reports emerged last week that his team would be willing to play Bynum in the long run Read puzzled because the agent was on a fishing trip in Alaska, with Bynum at the time.

"None of us were available," said Lee. "Whence came this list, I have no idea."

Discussions between the Lakers and Lee, on a contract extension, has not started, the agent said. Bynum has a year contract for $ 16.1 million.

"I anticipate" contract discussions will begin soon, said Lee, "but I'll leave that to [the Lakers executive] Jimmy [Buss] and Mitch [Kupchak]. I let nature take its course."

Bynum is back in the continental United States earlier this week after catching just a few salmon on their journey.