Dwight Howard and Chris Paul have been in contact with each other in an effort to play for the same team next season, according to sources.

"They would love to play together if somebody can make it happen," one of the sources said.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers do not have the available cap space to allow Howard and Paul to team up. If the preference is to play together with the Clippers, they would have to acquire Howard via a sign-and-trade with the Lakers.

Sources say a trade package centered around Blake Griffin and Eric Bledsoe for Howard could be possible. Multiple sources insist Griffin is untouchable but he would almost surely be required for the Lakers to agree to a trade.

The Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks all have cap space, though acquiring both players would likely acquire both Howard and Paul to accept less than a full max contract. The Hawks would seemingly have the easiest path to sign both Howard and Paul under that scenario.

Howard has seemingly been uninterested in playing in his hometown of Atlanta.

Both Howard and Paul will be free agents for the first time in their careers this offseason.