NBA Trade Rumors: Why Lakers Must Not Get Involved in Dwight Howard Sweepstakes

The Los Angeles Lakers are now in prime position to make a move for superstar Dwight Howard. According to Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cleveland Cavaliers backed out of the proposed four-team deal with the Magic, giving the Lakers an opportunity to offer Andrew Bynum for Dwight Howard's services. 

Although this deal seems great talent wise, the Lakers must avoid the Howard drama and focus on building their team around its current roster. The Lakers are primed to compete for a title in the Western Conference after the recent acquisition of Steve Nash who makes this team better by utilizing the strengths of Kobe, Pau Gasol and Bynum next season. 

Why should the Lakers pass on the six-time All-Star from Orlando? Well, Howard’s strengths stem from his ability to offensively use his athleticism to create easy baskets and act as a defensive stopper with his shot blocking ability.

Although Dwight may be more athletically gifted, the current Lakers roster is not made to run and gun like Nash's earlier days in Phoenix, something that fits Howard’s strengths. Let’s not forget Andrew Bynum is no slouch when it comes to blocking shots, averaging only 0.2 blocks per game less last season.

Plus, he also averaged a career high 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds while logging 35.2 minutes. The addition of Nash will only inflate these numbers giving Bynum better chances to post-up and score at an even higher rate next season.

The Lakers feature a starting lineup of Nash, Bynum a 33-year-old Kobe, 32-year-old Gasol and a 32-year-old Meta World Peace. This team is successful when they can slow down the pace and use their two seven footers to create matchup problems in the paint. As to who fits to that style better, Bynum is your man.   

Bynum will shine with the Lakers in the paint next season using solid post-moves and overpowering defenders to create easy lanes for Nash and the rest of the offense. This will force Mike Brown to curtail the offense next season giving Bynum the touches he demands, something he did not last season, while also giving Kobe the freedom to return as the main closer. 

All of this will take place because of the presence of the 38-year-old Nash working well with both seven footers. Nash has always fared well with a power forward that can score from any point on the court and can move on the screen game to capitalize on great assists. If the Lakers want to succeed they will leave the pick-and-roll game to Gasol whose elusive jump shot and tremendous post game is more suited for Nash's style.

What the Lakers do not want is two big men, Gasol and Howard, to demand the same type of shots which would clash and make the teams offense stagnate. Keeping Bynum will allow for the shooters to remain outside the key and for Nash and Gasol to play quality pick-and-roll at the top of the key. 

Bynum offensively will give Nash a solid option down low to dump the ball down and dominate defenders one-on-one, a part of Howard’s game that is still in need of improvement. 

Not only is Bynum the better fit for this offense, but signing him to a long-term deal will solidify the future of the Lakers for years to come. In basketball more than any sport, style and skill set means everything and Bynum’s better cohesiveness with the Lakers offense will pay dividends for years to come.

Another issue that Howard would present for the Lakers is his current contract situation. Howard has repeatedly said that the only place he would want to sign long term is with the Brooklyn Nets. The Lakers do not want to end up with a one-year rental and then have to settle for a lesser center in 2013.

Howard has shown little maturity over the handling of his contract situation and although it has not affected his play so far, the jury is still open as to his ability to focus and play passionate basketball for a large market team.

Bynum meanwhile would most likely set to return to Los Angeles, a place that has called him home his entire career. Bynum comes with his own set of pitfalls, most notably his child like demeanor on the court and sense of entitlement, but when driven, he is a dominant force in the paint who can handle the pressure of living up to the legends in LA. 

Dwight Howard will want a mega contract, similar to the five-year $95 million dollar deal Blake Griffin signed on Tuesday. Bynum meanwhile will come at a cheaper price than Howard and trust that every dollar counts.  

The Lakers are already strapped for cash, dishing out $27 million next season to Kobe and $30 million in 2013. Plus Gasol is owed $19 million over the next two seasons and Steve Nash is set to make $25 million over the next three years. This team will be scrapping for every salary-cap dollar to sign Howard to a long-term deal. This alone makes the resigning of Howard close to impossible, almost assuring his departure next offseason.

If the Lakers want to contend and win championships for years to come, they must keep Andrew Bynum and pass up on the Dwight Howard sweepstakes this offseason.