Lakers forward Matt Barnes said today he has been in touch with Dwight Howard, his former teammate with the Orlando Magic. Barnes said he hasn’t had to make a pitch to Howard in an attempt to persuade him to ask the Magic to trade him to the Lakers. Here’s more:

“I have spoken to him. He has a tough decision to make. There’s teams pulling at him every way. We just have real talks. He’s got to do what’s best for him and his family. Not necessarily pitches. He knows the opportunity he has here, the opportunity that awaits him. With that said, it’s not about what we want, it’s about what’s best for him and his family.”