NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Need to Ignore Dwight Howard and Focus on a PG Need

Andrew Bynum's development and health should have the Los Angeles Lakers forgetting about Dwight Howard, and instead focusing on their true need at point guard. 

At the beginning of the season, if the Lakers had been presented the opportunity to trade Bynum for Howard in a deal that didn't also involve Pau Gasol, I would have highly recommended the move.

Of course, it was also not one the Magic would have been likely to accept. That may have changed now. 

The Sporting News' Sean Deveney fills us in on that: 

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One thing the Magic are holding out for, a source told Sporting News, is the resurrection of talks with the Los Angeles Lakers. As the process has played out, it has become clear that the Magic are not going to get a better player in return for Howard than All-Star Lakers center Andrew Bynum.

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A few key things have changed that would make the Magic more desirous for this deal. One is that the Magic are backed up against the trade deadline and they are running out of options.

They haven't been blown away by a deal they can't refuse. That much is obvious by the fact that they have yet to deal Howard. 

Of course through this all the Magic have also been holding out hope that Howard would re-sign. That hope now appears to be fading. 

Another point is that the injury-prone Bynum has been healthy and playing fantastic. He is averaging 17.8 points per game and 12.9 rebounds per game. Those numbers are entering the ballpark in comparison to Howard. He is averaging 21.2 points and 15.2 rebounds per game. 

Also, Bynum's points per game would undoubtedly rise if he was not on the same team with other offensive weapons as dynamic as Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. 

And all of these reasons are exactly why the Lakers need to move on. The biggest reason here is that Howard can't be trusted to re-sign with the Lakers if he is dealt there.

Howard is clearly itching to test the free-agent market. That much became crystal clear when reports came out that he told the Magic to hold onto and "roll the dice" that he would return. Dwight wants to be able to choose his destination rather than have them trade assets to get him. 

In other words, there is a good chance that the Lakers could trade for him, and he'd bolt for a team like New Jersey in free agency. The Lakers do not need to take this risk. 

Bynum has turned out to be everything they hoped he would be. He and Gasol have teamed up to give the Lakers a frontcourt that no team is capable of matching up with. 

Those two, along with Kobe, form a trio that can win a championship this season—if they can find a decent point guard. 

The Lakers don't even need a great point guard. Just one that is competent. He doesn't have to be an offensive force. But if he can handle and pass the ball, play defense that nears passable and hit the occasional three, this team will be a serious contender for a title. 

It is time for the Lakers to put everything they have into adding that piece and forget about the walking soap opera that is Dwight Howard.