Lakers Trade Rumors: Involving Cavaliers in Dwight Howard Chase Is Right Move

Dwight Howard is the NBA's most coveted prize, but no team has found the right concoction to appease new Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan. This has led us to the NBA's version of a filibuster on multiple occasions, and we aren't sure when it's going to end.

One team has remained in constant pursuit. The Los Angeles Lakers want to win an NBA championship this season, and they feel that Howard is the missing piece to their puzzle. 

We've seen other teams try to acquire the All-Star center's services to no avail. The Brooklyn Nets have long been considered Howard's choice destination, but those talks broke off late last week. The Rockets were also a big name and were thought to be the only team capable of bringing Howard to their city without involving a third party, but nothing has come of that so far.

The Lakers have remained among the frontrunners for one reason: their All-Star center Andrew Bynum. He's the only pivot in the Association who rivals Howard on the low block. He doesn't bring Howard's intimidating defensive presence to the court, but he's a more polished offensive player. 

According to ESPN reporters Marc Stein and Chad Ford, Bynum's future destination has been discussed, but Orlando doesn't appear to be his eventual landing spot. 

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The Rockets have been discussing a multitude of trade scenarios with the Magic this month, offering to serve as the team that would acquire Howard in a direct trade between the clubs, or 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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According to Yahoo! Sports, Bynum included Houston on his list of preferred playing venues once he enters free agency next season, but the Magic didn't make the list. That makes him less appealing to Orlando, but Houston did make the young center's cut.

That still doesn't answer my one major question, though: If you're the Lakers, why would you want to ship Bynum to another Western Conference team, especially if you think he could re-sign there long-term? 

Instead, the newest rumor in the Howard sweepstakes makes more sense. According to Hoopsworld's Alex Kennedy, the Lakers and Magic have added another Eastern Conference team to the equation.

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The Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers have discussed a three-team deal that would send disgruntled superstar Dwight Howard to Los Angeles, according to sources close to the situation. The three teams have discussed a number of scenarios. While no trade is imminent, the talks are ongoing.

One scenario would send Howard to Los Angeles, Andrew Bynum to Cleveland and a package of picks and prospects to Orlando, according to sources.

The Lakers would land Howard, who they have been aggressively pursuing for quite some time.

The Cavaliers would acquire a second star to put alongside Kyrie Irving, one that they should be able to keep long-term since Cleveland has been mentioned as a team that Bynum will consider signing an extension with.

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I know that's a lot to process, but focus on the second paragraph. Sending Bynum to Cleveland keeps him out of Los Angeles' hair for the most part. They wouldn't face him often in the regular season, and a postseason matchup wouldn't happen until the NBA Finals roll around.

With Bynum out of the Western Conference, Howard would rule the roost. Pairing him with Pau Gasol's face-up game would add to the danger. 

Bynum would land on his feet in Cleveland (they're on his list), and he would flourish next to Irving's playmaking ability. 

This scenario would benefit all parties, but the Lakers emerge completely unscathed. They get their coveted NBA superstar, and they don't have to deal with the other star that's in the making.

It's a win-win scenario, and you can't say "well, I think the Lakers should keep Bynum and forget Howard." That isn't an option at this point. If you didn't notice, the Lakers aren't on Bynum's future list, and they haven't done themselves any favors by shopping his services.

Bynum, like Howard is doing now, could easily demand a trade or walk away next summer. It's hard to imagine him doing otherwise at this point.

It would be smart of Mitch Kupchak and the Laker brass to send Bynum as far away as possible.

Cleveland is just far enough.

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