Lakers Rumors: Pros and Cons of Dwight Howard Going to L.A.
It won't be all sunshine in Los Angeles if or when Dwight Howard arrives this summer.
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, "A four-team trade that would send Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers is complete."
Here are the details of the reported deal per Stein's report:
"A source with direct knowledge of the talks told ESPN.com's Marc Stein the Lakers will receive Howard, the Denver Nuggets will acquire Andre Iguodala, the 76ers will receive Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson, and the Magic will get Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic and one protected future first-round pick from each of the three teams.
In addition, the Magic will be getting other pieces, including 76ers No. 1 draft pick Moe Harkless, a source told Stein.
"
With the reports running rampant, let's not waste any more time analyzing what this likely means.
Here we break down the pros and cons of Dwight Howard to L.A.
Pros
L.A. Gets a Defensive Game-Changer
Although Andrew Bynum averaged the same number of blocked shots last season as Dwight Howard, Superman is a dynamic talent defensively and doesn't just rely on his size night in and night out, but his athleticism as well.
Howard will anchor the Lakers defense, providing a second line of defense when perimeter players penetrate, always changing shots and creating fast-break opportunities off blocks and deflections.
The Lakers Rid Themselves of a Distraction
Andrew Bynum's arrogance in the Lakers lineup has become more and more of an issue over time, and it's no surprise that he and head coach Mike Brown aren't likely the best of friends. The 24-year-old has played like an All-Star as of late but has remained a consistent distraction to the team.
A move to Philadelphia would give both the Lakers and Bynum a chance to start fresh. Bynum would excel with the 76ers as well, considering that he fits a big need for them and is one of the best big men in basketball today.
Cons
Dwight Howard's Health
Howard is in the midst of recovering from back surgery and will turn 27 this December. The Lakers are making this trade with full belief that Howard will bounce back like a champ from his injury and remain healthy for seasons to come.
It is Superman, and I can't blame them for pulling out all the stops regardless of his current health situation. If you're a Lakers fan, though, you are hoping that post-surgery Dwight Howard can handle the wear and tear of an 82-game season plus playoffs.
Liability at the Foul Line
It's no secret that Dwight Howard is among the worst free-throw shooters in the NBA these days. Howard shot a dismal 49 percent from the foul line last season in Orlando and is just a 59 percent free-throw shooter for his career.
Throughout games and at the end of games especially, Howard can be a liability thanks to his poor touch from the charity stripe. If Lakers fans thought Shaquille O'Neal was terrible with no one guarding him, just wait until they see Howard's inconsistent stroke.
In summary, it should be noted that the pros of acquiring a talent like Dwight Howard clearly outweigh the cons of his game. The Lakers may have been better off in the long run holding on to the younger Bynum, but they can contend and win now with Howard patrolling the paint.
Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter all year long for more NBA reaction.
