Magic center Dwight Howard signaled that if he is traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, he would be prepared to sign a long-term extension after the 2012-13 NBA season, the basketball website RealGM.com reported Wednesday.

Two sources confirmed to ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard that Howard is willing to re-sign long term with the Lakers if Orlando trades him there. Until recently, Howard had been steadfast in his desire to commit only to the Brooklyn Nets long term.

The Lakers have not been notified of any change in Howard's thinking as of late Wednesday night, a league source told ESPNLosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne, but had always figured he would commit to staying with the franchise once he experienced being part of a championship culture.

As ESPNLosAngeles.com reported Tuesday night, the Lakers have been willing to make a trade for Howard even without assurances he would sign an extension.

Sources also told Broussard the Lakers are ready and eager to trade for Howard -- with a package built around Andrew Bynum -- but that Orlando is holding up the deal.

The Magic, while willing to trade Howard, are not in a rush, and are prepared to wait until they get a deal they like.

The Lakers remained dogged in their pursuit of Howard late into the night Wednesday and plan to continue discussions Thursday, a league source told ESPNLosAngeles.com, but the longer the process drags on, the more it complicates their other offseason business, and might force them to consider moving on.