It's because he white.
The NBA is still an interesting look at racial problems in many ways, but I don't think it applies in this case.
I agree. I think Howard handled the situation in Orlando really badly. Demanding the trade, trying to have Van Gundy fired (that Van Gundy interview where he admits Howard asked to have him fired and Howard coming up right after and pretending to BFFs still makes me cringe) then agreeing to opt in only to turn around and demand a trade again. He basically held that franchise hostage because he couldn't make up his mind. And it wasn't like Orlando was a terrible team, they had been to the finals and had some playoff success. When Howard got traded to LA (one of the teams on his preferred list), it wasn't as easy as he wanted it to be and moped through the season only to leave the team at the end of it. I don't fault him for wanting out of LA, they mishandled the coaching situation and should be held accountable for that but his body language that whole season was terrible. That was a chance for him to show that he was a true leader and no longer the guy that pulled all that crap in Orlando and he failed.
As for Kevin Love, he's pretty much let his agent handle things. His stance has been unwavering throughout the process: "I'm opting out next offseason and going somewhere else. Trade me now and get something back for me, or let me walk for nothing." There hasn't been any coaching sabotage or even a public comment on the franchise's mismanagement (they're coach is also their President of BBall Ops and a part owner. And let's not forget, Love wanted the 5 year extension but they wanted to save it for Rubio, Love asked for an opt out after 3 years as a result of their unwillingness to give him 5 years with no opt out. So really, the franchise pretty much put themselves in this situation.) I think he's handled it as well as he could.
You can really ask the same thing about CP3 when he demanded a trade for New Orleans but because it was handled so well on his end - even after the "Basketball reasons" debacle happened - no one really remembers it and his image remained intact. I think race is not even a factor in this and I sincerely hope fans don't start pulling that card. If D12 handled himself more professionally, he would've been okay.