NBA Trade Rumors: Healthy Bynum Could Revive Lakers' Talks for Dwight Howard

After posting 21 points and 22 rebounds on Tuesday night against the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum is showing the form that has made him one of the best centers in the NBA when healthy.

"When healthy"...key words.

Bynum, who has battled injury throughout his career, was rumored to be a piece to convince the Orlando Magic to part with center Dwight Howard this offseason. Now that he's healthy, speculation has been renewed.

Wrote ESPN's Chad Ford on Wednesday:

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"The way Bynum is playing right now makes it more plausible that the Magic might be willing to do something akin to a straight swap between the two. Up until now, they've been demanding Pau Gasol and Bynum and asking the Lakers to take back Hedo Turkoglu. I still think L.A. is the most likely destination for Howard if Bynum can stay healthy."

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Bynum has averaged 22.7 points, 17.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in three games this season. Howard, of course, is the league's best center and the subject of countless trade rumors this offseason. The Magic have reportedly shelved talks for now, but given the play of Bynum, you have to wonder if those talks will spring back to life.

After dropping their first two games of the season, the Lakers have won four of their last five games. However, given last season's disappointment in the playoffs, there's the sentiment that the Lakers need a boost. Howard would certainly provide this boost paired with Kobe Bryant.

The Lakers almost pulled off a three-team deal that would have brought star point guard Chris Paul to L.A. this offseason, but the deal ultimately didn't meet the approval of commissioner David Stern.

Instead, Paul ended up with crosstown rivals the Los Angeles Clippers, and Bryant voiced some words of displeasure after the Lakers traded reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks.

You have to think Bryant would love to bring Howard to L.A.

The question is, will Bynum's surge convince the Magic to part with their prized center?