NBA Trade Rumors: Dwight Howard Deal Would Make LA Lakers Title Favorites

The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to make a huge splash this summer in order to re-join the elite teams in the Western Conference. The organization started the ball in motion after a sign-and-trade with the Phoenix Suns that netted Steve Nash and could put an exclamation mark on the offseason by swinging a deal for Dwight Howard.

According to Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld, the Lakers are exploring the tenets of a trade that would put Andrew Bynum in Orlando and bring Howard to Hollywood.

Pincus notes one way a swap could take place: "It wouldn’t be difficult to make a cap-worthy deal that included Howard, Richardson and Duhon if the Magic took Bynum, McRoberts and Blake."

While this looks easy on paper, it will take some convincing for both sides.

The Lakers are apparently hesitant about DH12’s back and are unsure if he will even be ready at the start of the 2012-13 season. The Magic have already fielded plenty of offers for the disgruntled superstar and could be holding out for an even better package to come their way.

However, should this hypothetical trade get worked out, the Lakers are instantly going to be the team to beat in the West and rival the Miami Heat for NBA superiority.

A core of Nash, Howard, Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant and practically any warm body at SF is has enough skill and experience to edge the OKC Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers and any other contender in the conference.

Howard’s defensive abilities are renowned (a three-time Defensive Player of the Year award winner) and he will instantly make the team better on that end.

His raw but powerful offensive skill set would compliment the transcendent scoring ability of Bryant and Pau’s mechanically sound post moves while creating tons of opportunities for easy buckets off Nash passes and alley-oops.

The Lakers would be able to consistently pound the ball down low on offense and keep some of the younger, quicker guys from consistently driving to the paint against them if Howard were protecting the rim.

It’s a great scenario and one that would put the Lakers right in the thick of the hunt for another championship.