Lakers Trade Rumors: Why LA Needs to Replace Andrew Bynum with Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard is not only a better player than Andrew Bynum, the Los Angeles Lakers have a more realistic chance of convincing Howard to stay in L.A.

According to ESPNLosAngeles.com, the Lakers and Orlando Magic continue to have trade talks centered around the two best centers in the league, but Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and Magic general manager Rob Hennigan haven't met in person yet.

But this is a trade the Lakers need to make because it extends far beyond getting the better player.

Bynum and Howard have yet to say they would sign extensions with the Magic and Lakers, respectively, if traded. But I look at Bynum's situation in Los Angeles, and I honestly think the Lakers would have a better shot of keeping Howard after next season than the man they selected in the 2005 NBA draft.

For one, we all know about Bynum's clashes with the Lakers organization throughout the years, including with head coach Mike Brown last season, when he was benched for chucking up a three-pointer against the Golden State Warriors. Both parties have grown somewhat disgruntled with each other; it's simply not a happy family.

Secondly, Bynum appears to already be looking ahead to 2013, the year he'll be a free agent if he doesn't sign an extension. He even has a preferred list of destinations before the 2012 season even starts: Cleveland, Dallas and Houston (per Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports).

Color me skeptical that Bynum will remain with the Lakers in 2013.

Obviously, there is still risk involved in landing Howard. He could do the same thing and bolt for another team after next season. But the ability to form a vicious one-two punch with Kobe Bryant and potentially be the guy in Los Angeles when Bryant retires is certainly enticing. In fact, it's hard to find a reason why Howard would not want to sign an extension with the Lakers.

The Lakers need to get this deal done because if they don't, they may not even have a top-tier center a couple seasons from now.

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