NBA: Phil Jackson Wants Dwight Howard To Stay With The L.A. Lakers

Former NBA head coach Phil Jackson is hoping incoming free-agent center Dwight Howard will eventually re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, multiple sources reported on Thursday.

Jackson, who coached the Lakers to five NBA championships, believes the Lakers is the most ideal place for Howard, logically and financially.

"Staying with a franchise and hang in there," Jackson told Inside SoCal.com on Thursday, "I think he likes the life here in L.A. and has hopes for success. The monetary issue is considerable."

The 11-time NBA champion said his affiliation as former Lakers head coach - and boyfriend of Lakers president Jennie Buss - influenced his perspective on which team really fits for the All-Star center.

"I have more Laker blood in me than Houston Rockets blood, thats for sure. As part of this extended family that runs this organization, I hope he remains a Laker," added Jackson, who's promoting his latest book entitled 11 Rings: Soul of Success.

Jackson's pitch to keep Howard in Lakerland comes a week after the All-Time coaching great showed pessimism about the chance of the Lakers to regain the service of the All-Star center.

Many speculated that his girlfriend and Lakers owner Jeannie might have helped change the stance of Jackson about Howard's possible destination.

Howard, who averaged 17.1 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in his first season with the Lakers, will headline the latest crop of free-agents this offseason.

The center is reportedly torn between the Lakers and the Houston Rockets, who have become a real contender to sign the center because of their young and talented core led by All-Star shooting guard James Harden and budding wingman Chandler Parsons.

The Atlanta Hawks, who have enough cap space to sign two max players this offseason, also showed interest in bringing back Howard to his hometown along with Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul.