NBA Trade Rumors: Dwight Howard to Lakers in Deal with Rockets Makes Most Sense

It may not be in the Los Angeles Lakers' best basketball interests to exchange Andrew Bynum for Dwight Howard, but it would certainly work out well for the Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic.

According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers are entertaining a deal that would ultimately land Dwight Howard in L.A.:

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Sources told ESPN.com that the Rockets are discussing a multitude of trade scenarios with the Magic, offering to serve both as the team that would acquire Howard in a direct trade between the clubs and also as a third team that would participate in a trade that lands Howard with the Lakers and brings All-Star center Andrew Bynum to Houston.

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Without Howard still refusing to give the Orlando Magic a chance and a deal with the Nets all but impossible at this point, working something out with the Lakers and Rockets may quickly become the only viable option.

It's also an option that makes sense.

It's unclear whether Bynum would want to sign an extension with the Rockets, but he could do a lot worse. Given his alternatives–or lack thereof–he just might find it a fitting long-term home.

Meanwhile, the Lakers get the superstar that they crave–a guy who earns his living as a larger-than-life personality as much as he does on the court.

But, the really compelling part of this deal is what might be in store for Orlando.

The soon-to-rebuild organization could be in store for a bevy of draft picks and young prospects, assets the Rockets have been hoarding in anticipation of such a move. They drafted UConn's Jeremy Lamb, Kentucky's Terrence Jones and Iowa State's Royce White in the first round of June's draft, assembling a trio of valuable youngsters with tons of upside.

They also landed a high-value first-round pick from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for disgruntled point guard Kyle Lowry.

Whatever other pieces would be involved remain uncertain, but you can rest assured more than a few players would be on the move.

Other scenarios remain possible. Though Howard doesn't want to stay in Houston long-term, things could obviously change.

As Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski explains, the Rockets' recent decision to amnesty Luis Scola could mean the organization wants Howard for itself, along with something more:

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Once Houston amnesties Scola, Rockets will be able to absorb 2nd max deal next summer in addition to Howard now. Gives them chance for CP3.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 12, 2012"

In other words, this could go a number of different ways. 

As much sense as the three-team deal makes, it's not the only game in town.