NBA News Roundup, Monday, July 15th: Dwight Howard open to Lakers return, update on Bradley Beal's future and more

The 2019 NBA offseason is now well underway, and most of the in-demand free agents around the league have already been snatched up. At this point, the remaining pool of available talent is pretty shallow and consists primarily of veterans looking to extend their careers via minimum deals.

However, NBA teams will start to look towards trades over the coming weeks, and a number of major moves could still be in the works. So, with plenty going on around the NBA, here is all the latest news and rumors you need to know for July 15th.

Dwight Howard wants to return to Los Angeles

Dwight Howard endured an injury-hit 18-19 season with the Washington Wizards

Back at the start of free agency, Dwight Howard was traded by the Washington Wizards to the Memphis Grizzlies. However, with the Grizzlies unlikely to compete for the foreseeable future, the veteran big is expected to be on the move once more in the coming weeks.

While no team has yet to register an interest in the former All-Star, Howard told the Los Angeles Times that he would like to return to Los Angeles with the Lakers or Clippers:

I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I do love L.A. Staples Center is going to be rocking this season. When I played there it was rocking every night. The atmosphere is crazy, not just for the Lakers but the Clippers too.

Howard spent the 2012-13 season with the Lakers, although the center left the team the following summer despite being offered a five year, $118 million contract. The 33-year-old is also coming off an injury-hit 18-19 campaign in which he managed just 9 outings, averaging 12.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.

Bradley Beal's future with the Wizards is in doubt

Bradley Beal has been linked with a trade from the Washington Wizards over the past 12 months

Bradley Beal was drafted by the Washington Wizards with the third pick of the 2012 draft, and the shooting guard has subsequently established himself as the struggling franchise's biggest asset. Over the 18-19 season, Beal averaged 25.6 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game, and the Wizards are believed to be keen to sign him to a new deal.

However, Candace Buckner of The Washington Post is reporting that NBA executives do not see Beal remaining with the Wizards for his entire career:

The Wizards can officially present a three-year, $111 million extension. However, the extension is not viewed as a done deal and there is a growing belief that Beal will not remain in Washington for the entirety of his career.

Beal still has two years and $56 million remaining on his current deal, although the Wizards may want to cash in if he reveals his desire to leave.

Cleveland Cavaliers willing to trade Kevin Love

Will Kevin Love exit the Cleveland Cavaliers?

With Russell Westbrook off the market following his trade to the Houston Rockets, Kevin Love could be the next big name on the move. The former All-Star will turn 31 later this year, and due to the Cleveland Cavaliers' ongoing rebuild, Love doesn't fit the team's current timeline.

And, according to a report from Cleveland.com, the Cavs are open to trading Love if the right offer comes along:

According to sources, the Cavs would want some combination of young players and draft picks. Not one or the other. Both.

Love signed for the Cavs back in 2014, and he went on to play a key role as the team made four consecutive trips to the NBA Finals. The 30-year-old is, however, coming off an injury-hit 12 months, and still has four years remaining on the near-max contract that he penned last summer.