LA Lakers Trade Rumors: Which Teams Compete against Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard?

LA Lakers Trade Rumors: Are the Lakers Unbeatable with Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard?

Dwight Howard made waves in the NBA the other day when a source close to him said that he is looking to play for the Lakers when he becomes a free agent before the 2012-13 season.

Now people have talked about the possibility of the Magic making a trade right now that would send Howard out West. I highly doubt they would do something like that, but that's the benefit of working at Bleacher Report, we get to speculate about how things would work.

The trade that would bring Howard to LA is the Orlando big man for Andrew Bynum straight up and just so you know, according to NBA Trade Machine on ESPN, the deal does work, and Orlando improves by one game, and the Lakers improve by two games.

But if a deal is made, who could potentially keep up with this monster in the making?

10. Atlanta Hawks

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 11: Josh Smith #5 and Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks react after Smith's basket and foul against the Indiana Pacers at Philips Arena on December 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agre

How They Could Compete: The Hawks have a nice young roster with some real length and athleticism inside. The Hawks would actually match up with the big three of the Lakers pretty well. Joe Johnson against Kobe Bryant, Josh Smith against Pau Gasol and Al Horford on Dwight Howard.

Would They Really Win?: In a word, no. Yes, the Hawks are young and athletic, but not one of the Hawks would really put the fear into the Lakers.

9. Orlando Magic

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ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 13: Hedo Turkoglu #15 of the Orlando Magic is guarded by Luke Walton #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at Amway Arena on February 13, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

How They Could Compete: The areas that the new Magic could compete with the Lakers are at the point guard position, and with the mismatch, that is Hedo Turkoglu. The Magic would be able to beat up the Lakers with the combination of Jameer Nelson and Gilbert Arenas. Turkoglu against Pau Gasol would be an interesting matchup as well.

Would They Really Win?: Ultimately, I think Kobe and Howard would be the deciding factors in this one. Howard against Bynum is always a good matchup, but Kobe would be able to beat up on whoever the magic would throw at him and lead the Lakers to a win.

8. Portland Trail Blazers

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 14: (L-R) Marcus Camby #23, Nicolas Batum #88, LaMarcus Aldridge #12 and Andre Miller #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers huddle up during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on January 14, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizo

How They Could Compete: The thing that would make the Lakers so tough to deal with would not only be their ridiculous depth inside but also the fact that Kobe is so hard to match up with. However, the Blazers do have some nice depth inside, and Portland is always a tough place to play for the Lakers.

Would They Really Win?: Again, no. The Blazers have some nice pieces, but I just don't see them being able to deal with everything the Lakers could do.

7. Dallas Mavericks

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PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 17: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks puts up a three point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on February 17, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 112-106. NOTE TO

How They Could Compete: The Mavericks' ability to compete starts and ends with the big German, Dirk Nowitski. I don't know if the Lakers would be able to slow him down with Pau Gasol. However, do the Mavs have someone who could compete with Kobe and Dwight Howard?

Would They Really Win?: I think this would be a good series, but I still think the Kobe factor would be far too much for Dallas to overcome.

6. San Antonio Spurs

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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 17: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs grabs a rebound against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on February 17, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Spurs 109-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

How They Could Compete: The Spurs are really the only team in the NBA that can match up with the Lakers' experience. They have a group of guys that have been playing together for nearly a decade, and they still have the ability to play fundamentally-sound basketball and beat most good teams.

Would They Really Win?: This is another series that I think would be great. I could see either the Lakers being able to easily dispatch the Spurs or win a close series that goes six or seven games.

5. Oklahoma City Thunder

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 27: (L-R) Russell Westbrook #0 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder sit on the bench late in the fourth quarter while taking on the Los Angeles Lakers during Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 20

How They Could Compete: Any team trying to match up with the Thunder is going to have problems with both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The two are among the 15 best players in the league right now, and they are going to give the Lakers fits on the outside. However, the Thunder don't have the depth inside to compete with Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard let alone Lamar Odom.

Would They Really Win?:  This would be a six or seven-game series with each team getting some good blows in, but I think the ability to play half-court, smash mouth basketball gives the Lakers a slight edge.

4. Miami Heat

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JANUARY 30: Forward LeBron James #6 talks with Dwyane Wade #3 and Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat during play against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ford Center on January 30, 2011 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User express

How They Could Compete: The Miami Heat are a matchup nightmare because of the fact that Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are both some of the best players ever to play the game. However, Bosh is going to have some real difficulty down low against the likes of Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol. Kobe would have a tough time with Wade, but the Lakers have enough guys to throw at LeBron to make it interesting.

Would They Really Win?: This would be a heavyweight fight and a battle of strengths against weaknesses. The Lakers would be an incredible half-court team, and the Heat are great in transition. Ultimately, I think this is a toss up, but the Lakers have been playing together longer even if they added Howard at this stage. 

3. Chicago Bulls

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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 17: Derrick Rose #1 and Carlos Boozer #5 of the Chicago Bulls return to the court after a time-out against the San Antonio Spurs at the United Center on February 17, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Spurs 109-99. NO

How They Could Compete: Honestly, I love Derek Fisher, but the biggest weakness for the Lakers is the point guard position. So, for the Lakers to match up with a team like the Chicago Bulls and a guy like Derrick Rose, it is going to be very difficult.

Would They Really Win?: As much as I would like to say the Lakers would win this one, I am not so sure. I think the Bulls have a very big mismatch with Derrick Rose even if the Lakers put Kobe Bryant on the former Memphis star.

2. Boston Celtics

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BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 10: Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics reacts after he is called for a foul in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 10, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Lakers defeated the Celtics 92-86. N

How They Could Compete: It pains me to say this as a Lakers fan, but the Celtics are the most complete team in the NBA right now. One through five, the Celtics don't really have a weakness. Size, speed, scoring, defense...they can do it all.

Would They Really Win?: I think this would be World War III. Not only do you have Lakers and Celtics at stake but you have the added hatred from Dwight Howard who has been competing with the Celtics in the East for his entire career. I don't know who would win, but I am inclined to say the Celtics have the edge because of Rajon Rondo.

1. Themselves

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CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 14: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his bench against the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on February 14, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowle

Despite the fact that I am not sure how well they match up with the Celtics or even the Bulls, the real thing that would prevent the Lakers with Dwight Howard from being the favorite in the NBA would be themselves.

Bringing in Howard would mean that Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol would both have to sacrifice shots and really work to make it a success. If they aren't willing to work hard for it, there is no chance the Lakers would win with Howard instead of Andrew Bynum.