Los Angeles Notes: Bryant, Howard, Paul

Here's the latest out of the City of Angels..

• The Clippers won't be among the teams in pursuit of Dwight Howard this summer, sources tell Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com (on Twitter).  The Clippers won't make a run at DH for multiple reasons, sources say, and we can assume that a lack of cap space is chief among them.  The rumors linking Chris Paul and Howard have been floating for some time, however, and the Hawks are hoping that they can pull off a shocker and land both.
• Kobe Bryant responded via Twitter to an internet rumor that said he would retire this summer following his painful Achilles tendon tear.  "Really?? Me. Retire?? Soon, but not yet," the Lakers star said.
• If the Mavs make a play for Paul this summer, owner Mark Cuban will be their biggest weapon in recruiting, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com.  Of course, Cuban was expected to be a big part of his club's pitch to Deron Williams last summer.  Dallas didn't lure Williams back to his home state and some believe that Cuban's decision to skip their pitch meeting had something to do with it.