NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Must Give Up Pursuit of Dwight Howard

The Los Angeles Lakers must give up their pursuit of superstar center Dwight Howard.

According to an ESPN Los Angeles report by Dave McMenamin and Ramona Shelburne, the Lakers are set on landing the disgruntled Orlando Magic center:

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The Lakers remain committed to pursuing Howard even without assurances he'd sign a long-term extension with the club. What's unclear to both sides is whether Orlando would accept Andrew Bynum without assurances he'd sign a long-term extension.

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The Lakers are wasting their time and effort. Howard's close-mindedness in terms of where he would consider re-signing next summer has made him an impossible target, and his recent back surgery is more than a cause for concern.

Sure, Howard averaged 20.6 points and 14.5 rebounds per game last season for the Magic, but he'll turn 27 this coming December, and for a 6'11" big man who thrives on athleticism, explosion and leaping ability, a less-than-perfectly-healthy back is a red flag.

Not to mention the Lakers already have a seven-foot All-Star at center—one who is two years younger than Howard. LA's front office seems to be forgetting that Bynum averaged 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game last season on 56 percent shooting from the field.

In addition to blocking two shots per game—the same amount as Howard last season—the 24-year-old Bynum is much more versatile offensively. He's a player the Lakers can dump the ball to and expect consistent results from.

Howard is a liability at the free-throw line as well—he shot 49 percent from the foul line last season—and will struggle immensely in double-teams playing for a franchise that lacks the three-point prowess that the Magic have boasted over the years.

It makes little sense for the Lakers to stray from a championship core that at the moment features Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Bynum. Bynum's youth and potential, in addition to Los Angeles' proximity to Hollywood, will make the Lakers a hot destination for free agents for years to come.

Dwight Howard is the more marketable player and a once-in-a-generation athlete, but when it comes to playing center in the NBA, Bynum does it just as well.

If the Lakers are wise, they will end talks with Orlando before the Magic finally do agree to deal Howard. LA has already thrown Bynum into the same boat they put Gasol in before this past season's trade deadline, so to avoid any further damage—trading away Bynum for good—they must drop out of the Howard sweepstakes.

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