LA Lakers: Sources Say Andrew Bynum "Indifferent" to Dwight Howard Trade Talks

Sources close to Andrew Bynum say the LA Lakers star is "indifferent" to all of the Dwight Howard-for-Bynum trade rumors circulating around the basketball world over the past two weeks, according to Hoopsworld.com.

The source also cites this offseason as the first in three seasons that Bynum has been entirely healthy and has used the time to prepare himself for what is to be "the best year of his career."

On the prospects of Big Drew in Florida:

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The source also spoke highly regarding how good of a fit Bynum would be in Orlando, stating that it’s his time to be the man. Bynum voiced the desire to be more of a featured option at the conclusion of last season, but it’s going to be hard for that to happen as long as Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant are still Lakers.

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The Dwight-for-Bynum rumors have been rampant leading up to the shortened NBA regular season. Should Howard notify the Magic front offices that he does not intend to re-sign with the team, Orlando would be forced to seriously consider the offers in front of them, and the Bynum trade could eventually be realized.

It's impossible to know how reliable and credible this "source" is, but Bynum has been hearing trade rumors throughout his time in LA, so his indifference is not surprising.

By now, he's surely become insensitive to all the trade discussion, knowing full well that he is a prized possession to any organization; not least of which to his current employer.

After battling toe-to-toe with Dwight Howard on his way to his first NBA championship in 2009, Bynum solidified his legacy in the eyes of Laker faithful by fighting through a cartilage tear in his knee, essentially playing bone-on-bone, to help the Lakers win a second NBA championship in 2010.

Gritty and gutty can't even begin to describe Bynum's heroics in the 2010 playoffs.

For that alone, Drew should be treated with a bit more respect than what he's been getting the past two weeks. Casting Drew aside should not be so easy.