Lakers Trade Rumors: Keeping Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum Won't Make a Winner

Following a surprising yet gutsy move, the Los Angeles Lakers have acquired two-time league MVP Steve Nash. Rumors have it that the Lakers plan on keeping the rest of the team in place, but that move won't secure another championship for the Lakers.

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Pau or Bynum trade the next shoe to drop after Nash? Not so fast. Source tells me Lakers intend to keep core intact to play with Nash

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 5, 2012"

Any plans the Lakers have that keep Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum on their roster for the 2012 season would be misguided. While Nash will improve the team, there would still be issues with the roster.

Nash had his most success when playing on a team that could spread the floor and open lanes. Gasol and Bynum certainly have their strengths, but Bynum in particular doesn't exactly mesh with what Nash does best.

The Phoenix Suns helped make Nash a star with their wide-open attack on the court. They moved and ran with and without the ball, allowing Nash to notch assists with quick passes.

The Lakers and Mike Brown run a much slower offense, and with the age, size and mobility issues of their current players, that isn't likely to change. 

What needs to change is the roster.

The Lakers have a team that is built to win now. They surrendered four draft picks, including first-round selections in 2013 and 2015, to pick up Nash. They have largely ignored building through the draft in recent years, and the Nash trade will make it very difficult to do so any time soon.

With Kobe Bryant set to become a free agent in 2014, the Lakers' window could quickly be shut. They need to add any potential missing pieces now.

Adding Dwight Howard should be at the top of the Lakers' priority list.

Aside from helping the Lakers offset Nash's defensive struggles, Howard would give them more offensive firepower.

It is possible to make an argument that Bynum is a more refined offensive player. Even conceding that fact, Howard would still make the offense better.

Adding one player won't allow the Lakers to open the court up like the Suns once did, but they won't need to.

The Lakers would be able to field a very good defensive unit over the next two seasons. Howard, Bryant, Nash and Gasol can also score enough to be back in the mix for another championship.