NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Have Choice Between Dwight Howard, Chris Paul

The Los Angeles Lakers' roster might include either Chris Paul or Dwight Howard at some point during the 2011-12 NBA season.

Much of the NBA lockout was focused around competitive balance throughout the league and providing the opportunity for small-market teams to retain stars on the roster.

However, we're less than two weeks in from the work stoppage being over and there is already significant discussion about superstars being on the move to new teams in larger markets.

Trade winds have been swirling around both Paul and Howard, and it isn't going to be stopping at any point in the near future. Neither superstar seems willing to sign an extension with his current team, and that means fans can look forward to an entire season filled with reports, rumors and (mis)information about where each would like to go next.

Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports reported last week that Paul had asked for a trade to join his friends Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire in New York with the Knicks.

Having said that, the Knicks don't have the necessary players to match up in a two-team deal, and therefore Hornets may be very well inclined to explore other avenues in a potential Paul deal.

Additionally, Howard has made no secret of his unwillingness to sign a long-term extension in Orlando without a significant improvement on the roster, and that "improvement" will only convince Howard to keep going with the Magic if it's in the form of another superstar alongside him.

Now, in a turn of events, Wojnarowski reports it may be the Magic and Hornets in a direct race with each other to see which club can execute a deal faster with the Los Angeles Lakers for either Paul or Howard.

That's right, the Lakers.

According to the report:

"

The Lakers and Hornets expect to speak again this week, sources said. 

The Lakers will ultimately be willing to let New Orleans pick its player in the deal—Bynum or Gasol—but New Orleans is determined to get quality, and quantity, in a deal.

"

Virtually, the Lakers can approach either team with the idea that either Bynum or Gasol can be the epicenter of any package, and then that team can pick and choose its complementary parts to pair with the headlining name.

What other team can offer that?

Additionally, Los Angeles also has arguably the biggest bargain contract in the NBA in Lamar Odom, who is signed for the next two seasons at just about $17 million.

In a league where there are so many poor contracts and a plethora of guys being overpaid, the Lakers have three very legitimate trade assets that are very appealing.

Both Orlando and New Orleans want quality in return rather than a bounty of draft picks and guys with untapped potential, and that's exactly what the Lakers have to offer.

Playing in Hollywood, the Lakers can't afford to go through a rebuilding phase.

The spotlight is always on this group, and Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak understands that point exactly.  He knows he has to find a way to keep the current championship window open with Kobe Bryant still on the roster while finding the next superstar to build his team around.

Should Orlando be serious about dealing Howard and getting the best possible package in return, GM Otis Smith better pick up the phone and call the Lakers sooner rather than later. If he doesn't, Hornets GM Dell Demps is already working the phone, and he'll have no problem pulling the trigger.

As Wojnarowski wrote, the Hornets have no interest in a soap opera (a la Carmelo Anthony) that lasts for the duration of the season.

If Paul winds up with the Lakers and Orlando is still exploring deals for Howard, the best offer will already be off the table.