Lakers Trade Rumors: Dwight Howard Would Complete LA's Offseason Transformation

The Los Angeles Lakers are on the verge of being one of the elite teams in the Western Conference after last year's "down" season. All that is missing is that key cog in the middle known as Dwight Howard. 

That could change soon, as Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reported via Twitter that the Lakers are doing all they can to convince Howard and the Orlando Magic that they are a perfect fit for both parties. 

"

Lakers pushing hard to land Magic center Dwight Howard & meeting with Magic today,sources tell Y! LAL wants DH contract extension commitment

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 17, 2012"

Looking beyond the contract talks—because I think if Howard really wants a max deal, he would be more than happy to take one in Hollywood—this is the move the Lakers need to make to catch up to Oklahoma City. 

This has been a busy offseason for the Lakers, though they are not exactly getting younger. Steve Nash will be the best point guard Los Angeles has had during the Kobe Bryant era. Howard has been on their radar for the last two years. 

Nash and Bryant together will form one of the best batteries in the NBA. Any concern over Bryant needing the ball and Nash not being able to touch it enough to do what he does best is being overblown. 

Bryant has never played with a point guard like Nash. He is going to feel so much relief that it will help rejuvenate his still sterling career. 

If you think Andrew Bynum is a dynamic center who can fit into what the Lakers are building, I would not argue with you. He is just 24 years old and coming off the best, healthiest season of his career. 

But Bynum is not Howard.

Even with his limitations at the free-throw line, Howard creates more matchup problems inside than any other center in the NBA. He is a true game-changer who will push the Lakers into rarefied air.

The Lakers need to do all they can to convince Howard that the place for him is Los Angeles. If he wants to be a super superstar, there are not a lot of other places to go where he will get more attention. 

If Howard wants to repair his image, he can start by being a part of the facelift the Lakers are trying to give themselves this offseason. 

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