5 Trade Targets for LA Lakers Not Named Dwight Howard

The Los Angeles Lakers are in an interesting spot this offseason. Should they keep their roster intact or trade some of their veterans for younger stars?

Trade rumors surrounding Orlando Magic superstar center Dwight Howard have run rampant for months, but how real are the chances that the NBA's most dominating center joins the Lakers?

Not very good. In fact, the Magic would be foolish to trade him to the Lakers because they can get a much better package in return for their star center from other teams.

I understand that Howard has control of where he goes if he desires to be traded, because if he doesn't want to sign with a certain team, that team won't give up young talent to get him.

But then again, their could be a team that would mortgage the short-term future to acquire Howard for the stretch run and the playoffs.

If the Lakers are unable to get Howard, who else should they trade for to help them remain a threat to win the NBA Finals?

There are a number of players the Lakers could target—let's take a look at who they are.

Nicholas Goss is an NBA and Oklahoma City Thunder featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, follow him on Twitter for NBA and Thunder news and analysis. 

Arron Afflalo, Denver Nuggets

Arron Afflalo is a very good defensive player who would give the Lakers another guy who can shut down the opposing team's best perimeter scorer.

Afflalo is a restricted free agent and will likely be re-signed by the Denver Nuggets after his solid regular season and superb 2011 NBA playoffs.

The only way the Lakers could realistically acquire Afflalo is through a sign-and-trade, and veteran Ron Artest, who Afflalo would soon replace, would likely be part of that deal.

Afflalo has also become a better offensive player since his rookie season and set career-highs in points and assists last season.

He would also feel comfortable in Los Angeles because he went to school at UCLA.

Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks

Josh Smith would be the perfect replacement at small forward for Ron Artest and would bring some great athleticism and shot blocking to the Lakers lineup.

Smith was one of the better shot blockers in the NBA last season and is versatile enough to play and defend both forward positions.

He averaged just over 15 points per game last season with 8.5 rebounds as well. 

To get Smith, the Lakers would probably have to give up a combination of Ron Artest, Lamar Odom, Luke Walton and maybe some draft picks.

Brandon Rush, Indiana Pacers

Brandon Rush would be a good addition of size, athleticism and length for the Los Angeles Lakers.

He is also a solid outside shooter and shot an impressive .417 clip from three-point land last year.

Rush is a versatile player who can backup Kobe Bryant at shooting guard and be the future replacement for Ron Artest at small forward.

Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves

Kevin Love would be a great fit on the Los Angeles Lakers, and although acquiring the Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star forward would almost certainly mean trading Pau Gasol, the deal would be well worth it.

Love is one of the league's best rebounders and has a solid all-around offensive game that includes a nice repertoire of post moves and good outside shooting.

If the Lakers really don't want to give up Gasol, trading Andrew Bynum in a package for Love would work for Minnesota, but then the Lakers would have a massive hole at center.

Regardless, Love is a fantastic player who would give the Lakers some youthful energy and solid production at power forward and he would likely be comfortable in LA since he played his college ball at UCLA.

Raymond Felton, Portland Trail Blazers

Raymond Felton is one of the best targets for the Lakers in the trade market because he would be a great replacement for Derek Fisher as the starting point guard.

Felton set career-highs in points and assists per game last season and has plenty of experience playing with star players.

He would bring solid offense, good passing and underrated perimeter defense to the Lakers backcourt.

To acquire Felton, a package consisting of Lamar Odom, Ron Artest, Steve Blake, Devin Ebanks and draft picks would have to be part of a deal.