Lakers Rumors: L.A. Needs to Turn Attention to Players Other Than Dwight Howard

The Los Angeles Lakers have been the rumored favorite for Dwight Howard for almost a year now. They have a comparable piece to offer in exchange and they have what Howard wants in a new team.

But the Lakers and Orlando Magic haven't been able to get on the same page at all and with approximately two weeks remaining until deadline day, it appears Howard isn't going anywhere.

Even if he does find a way out, it appears the Lakers are out of the mix anyway. Steve Kyler of Hoopsworld writes:

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Trades and trade scenarios are a fluid thing, so things change just as a quickly as they start, but the story from All-Star was that the Lakers just are not in the hunt for Howard.

They have tried. There is no questioning the Lakers interest in obtaining Dwight Howard, but the deal is just not there said sources dialed into the process.

Magic CEO Alex Martins told Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel the rumor of a Howard trade with the Lakers and separate trade with the Raptors was patently false and that no such deal exists.

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With Kobe's most recent injury and the fact that they've had to depend solely on him for offensive production this season, this team needs to realize they're not okay and can't simply keep fighting upstream without a change.

Not landing Howard can not cost this team an entire season. They have major needs at point guard and they could certainly look to upgrade at small forward where a combination of Matt Barnes, Metta World Peace and Devin Ebanks is scaring nobody.

At 20-14, the Lakers have too many needs to focus solely on landing an unattainable player.

They have two weeks to make it happen and if they fail, they'll go only as far as Kobe can take them.