Lakers Rumors: L.A. Doesn't Need Dwight Howard to Win an NBA Championship

Although the Dwight Howard rumors have finally subsided (at least for the last couple of days), the disgruntled Orlando center is still the most talked-about figure in the NBA.

After failing to deal Howard to the Brooklyn Nets, his preferred choice, the Magic are stuck looking for an alternative option for their All-Star center.

According to espn.com, The Los Angeles Lakers are still in the trade talks for Howard, but his refusal to sign an extension with any team other than Brooklyn makes him nearly impossible to trade.

With that being said, Los Angeles doesn't need the selfish center in order to win an NBA championship.

The Lakers' biggest problem last season was their inability to generate any sort of play from the point guard position.

Now, they'll have one of the best point guards in the NBA in two-time MVP Steve Nash. He'll be on the court at the same time as Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.

Combined, they have nine NBA championships, three MVPs and 27 All-Star appearances.

With those numbers, who needs a narcissistic player like Howard to come and make the show all about him?

Bynum proved last season that he has some growing to do. So far, he's been the focal point of discussion with any possible trade the Lakers and Magic may make involving Howard.

Although Bynum's immaturity was on full display last year when he chucked up a horrible three-pointer, and then publicly disobeyed head coach Mike Brown, he will have no excuses next season, assuming he stays with the Lakers.

Gasol, Bryant and Bynum all have championship experience, and with a title-hungry Nash running the point at Staples Center next season, the Lakers will be the front-runners to win it all, even over Oklahoma City.

L.A. blew leads in two of the four games they lost to the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Though the Thunder won in convincing fashion in Games 1 and 5, the Lakers still had their number for a good part of the series.

Now, with their point guard problems finally resolved, there's no reason for the Lakers to sacrifice any talent to bring in a baggage-stricken Dwight Howard.

Wherever Howard ends up next season, assuming he isn't with Orlando, just his presence will serve as a major distraction for teams that have the possibility of winning an NBA championship.

Simply put: The Lakers need to stay away.

With the Spurs aging, their only serious competition in the Western Conference is the Thunder.

They can figure them out without Howard.