Lakers Trade Rumors: Latest Dwight Howard Offer Would Be Step in Wrong Direction

After a couple of weeks of silence on the Dwight Howard front, the rumor mill was back in action today with talk of a new deal that would result in the Orlando Magic All-Star center ending up with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports the deal would also include the Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers. His sources indicate the Lakers would send Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol out in exchange for Dwight Howard and Al Harrington.

The Lakers clearly have interest in adding Howard to the mix, as they have remained the only franchise active in discussions throughout the process, while other teams such as the Brooklyn Nets have come and gone over time.

That said, it has reached a point where the Lakers would be severely overpaying for him. Adding Gasol to the potential four-way trade shifts the balance away from Los Angeles because Harrington won't be able to replace him.

Even though Gasol watched his role diminish on the offensive end due to the emergence of Bynum last season, he still averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds and more than a block per game while shooting 50 percent from the floor.

By comparison, Harrington checked in at just 14 points and six rebounds. He also won't make the same type of impact on the defensive end as Gasol.

The perceived upgrade at center doesn't offset the difference in the power-forward swap. Howard and Bynum are both due to become free agents after next season and posted similar numbers during the condensed campaign, as Bynum finally started living up to the hype.

Unless the Lakers are absolutely positive they can sign Howard to a long-term extension and are equally confident Bynum wants to test the market, the deal wouldn't end up being an overall upgrade.

Los Angeles added a huge piece to the puzzle by acquiring Steve Nash. That alone should already make the team a lot more dangerous next season. But making the latest outlined Howard trade would be a step back right after that step forward.

The Lakers are better off sticking with their current roster if that's the best possible deal they can work out to get Howard.

It isn't worth giving up a formidable frontcourt tandem to acquire a player who has caused nothing but headaches over the past year.