Lakers Trade Rumors: Orlando Magic's Lunacy Guarantees Lakers' Mediocre Future

You can't deal with crazy, and that's something the LA Lakers found in recent dealings with the Orlando Magic regarding Dwight Howard and a suitable replacement in Andrew Bynum. 

Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel reports on a trade that would see Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson go to the Los Angeles Lakers for Pau Gasol and Bynum. Schmitz then writes on a third team in the mix:

"A third team, the Toronto Raptors, could be part of the deal or in a separate trade with the Magic, sending PG José Calderon to Orlando."

Before you Magic fans get up in arms about Bynum not being Howard, relax. This trade is not going down, and it's precisely because the Magic front office is handcuffed by insanity at the moment. 

There is no exact replacement for Howard, but at the very least, the Magic would be getting an All-Star center for Howard, something they cannot guarantee this summer when the big man walks. 

The New York Post's Peter Vecsey reports the Magic were not interested in Howard, nor will they be in the future. Vecsey quotes a Western Conference executive that stated, "I can tell you for a fact the Lakers offered Andrew Bynum and the Magic do not want him."

The durability of Bynum may be an issue, but I fear the reason is far more ominous for Magic fans. ESPN's John Hollinger chimes in that owner Rich DeVos is sold on the idea that Howard can be retained in the offseason despite the fact the trade demands are still on GM Otis Smith's desk. 

"

...I'll remain skeptical about Howard's chances of being traded by March 15. It doesn't matter that this is the most logical move from Orlando's perspective. Owners approve trades, and at his age, this owner might want to play it out. In fact, he's already told reporters he doesn't want to move Howard. Even giving up on a playoff run this spring...

"

The rumored three-way trade would have done wonders for the Lakers who are stuck between being a mediocre team and a good one. It's hardly the lot in life this franchise is used to. 

This is precisely the gamble the Lakers are willing to take in shoring up some holes and getting even better at the center position. 

This team needs depth in the worst way. Without star help coming in any other way, they have to swing for the fences. 

On the other side of the country, you have a franchise that is convinced their franchise player will stay despite having the opposite happen to them before in the case of Shaquille O'Neal. 

The trade demands are still there, and the glint in Howard's eye tells you he is dreaming of his next destination. 

When Howard leaves this summer, we can all remember they very well could have had an All-Star center. In my book, that is better than nothing. 

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