Lakers Rumors: LA Will Be Strong Title Contender with or Without Dwight Howard
The Los Angeles Lakers are in an enviable position. They are indeed chasing Dwight Howard, as reported by Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld, but they really don't have to land him to be a serious title contender.
"The Lakers, Magic & Cavaliers are discussing three-team deal that may send Dwight Howard to LA and Andrew Bynum to CLE: tinyurl.com/7mwggu6
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 14, 2012"
The team the Lakers have right now can compete with any team in the league, and as long as they address their depth issues, they would be my pick in the Western Conference.
Dwight Howard would make the Lakers a little more dominant, but let's not forget how good Andrew Bynum already is.
He averaged just under 19 points and 12 rebounds per game, and he's only 24 years old. He does have the routine brain-lock moments, but Bynum's potential maturation wouldn't be the weirdest thing that has ever happened.
Pau Gasol is still a Laker, and with Steve Nash on board, I can see a lot of pressure being lifted from Gasol's shoulders. He'll get his touches, and the Lakers offense will run smoothly. Nash will keep the big men happy, and when they're happy they'll defend.
This will help conceal Nash's inability to guard most anyone on the perimeter. Gasol has to be totally engaged and comfortable to play to his full capabilities, and I believe Nash's presence will help create that environment for him.
Kobe Bryant will probably carry a much lighter load this year. He'll get the chance to play off-the-ball more, and that may even help extend his Hall of Fame career.
With this core the Lakers just need depth, and that explains their interest in O.J. Mayo, per Marc J Spears of Yahoo! Sports.
"Free agent G OJ Mayo getting interest from Lakers, Chicago, Phoenix and Dallas and hopes to make decision in next 10 days, source tells Y!
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 14, 2012"
If Mayo doesn't mind a bench role, he would help give the Lakers bench a huge scoring option. The other pressing need is to re-sign Jordan Hill.
Hill proved his value to the Lakers last season. With or without D12, Hill is the type of energetic, young big man teams need off the bench.
GM Mitch Kupchak is apparently working hard to bring Hill back, per Eliott Teaford of Los Angeles Daily News.
If a team has an opportunity to get Howard, it's a no-brainer to explore those options. But it must feel good for the Lakers to know that even if they lose out on the prize, they still have a great shot at winning the trophy.
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