Mike Bresnahan and Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times report that the Lakers and Magic have not been engaged in trade talks for Dwight Howard in "a while" and that Howard may have less interest, not more, after a lengthy conversation with Kobe Bryant that made the Magic center realize it's still Kobe's team.

"Kobe Bryant has had at least one in-depth phone conversation with Howard recently, even discussing how Howard might fit in with the Lakers' scheme," the two report. "One person with knowledge of the conversation said Howard came away feeling as if he wouldn't be the Lakers' top option, for obvious reasons. It's Bryant's team."

No one is saying talks are dead, but as Bresnahan and Turner write, Bynum continues to play well and he's two years younger than Howard. Plus, he's theirs.

• Lakers-Magic center swap might be on back burner - Mike Bresnahan and Broderick Turner - Los Angeles Times