With Steve Nash, Los Angeles Lakers Should Seek Andrew Bynum-Dwight Howard Deal

According to John Gambadoro (talk-show host on Phoenix's Sports 620 KTAR), Steve Nash will be the point guard of the future for the Los Angeles Lakers. Multiple draft picks will reportedly be sent to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for the star guard.

It's time to rejoice now that they have a very talented floor general. One that can get Kobe Bryant shots he doesn't have to work as hard for and one that fits into their trade exception from the Lamar Odom trade.

Steve Nash will bring stability to a position previously held by Steve Blake and Ramon Sessions. While this is an offensive victory for the Lakers, it leaves much to be desired on defense.

They lacked in defensive skill last season, which is why Metta World Peace stood out so much and was so valuable to the Lakers. Metta and Kobe were the Lake Show's best defensive players, which isn't ideal for a championship push.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will still run circles around the Lakers between Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. They're younger and faster, and Nash doesn't change that.

Enter Dwight Howard.

While Howard isn't quite the offensive presence that Andrew Bynum is, his defensive presence more than makes up for it. Howard in place of Bynum gives the Lakers, on average, slightly more blocks and more steals per game than they're getting with Bynum.

At 6'11", Howard is a big man, but not the biggest. The NBA game is changing. No longer can hulking centers dominate in the paint. With the addition of Nash, and swapping Bynum for Howard, the Lakers will be ready for a championship.

I'm on the "Bynum is the best big man in the league" train, but the problem is his immaturity and occasional lull in play.

With the addition of Dwight Howard, the Lakers gain experience, motivation and tenacity. They lose a player who has slightly more offensive skills, more height (which he rarely asserts) and is immature beyond his years in the NBA.

The absolute best thing the Lakers can do is continue to pursue Dwight Howard to be their next center.