Does Andrew Bynum's Injury Make Signing Dwight Howard a Priority?
There is a chance that an MRI scheduled for today will reveal no further damage to Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum's surgically repaired right knee, but the handwriting on the wall should be obviously clear to owner Jerry Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak.
Bynum's latest injury occurred during the second quarter of the Lakers win over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night, and it couldn't have possibly come at a worst time for the two-time defending champions.
If Bynum is unable to play, the Lakers' hopes for a three-peat will suffer immediate damage, but what effect could Bynum's most recent injury have on the Lakers in the future?
Some people consider Bynum to be nearly untouchable when it comes to the chances of Kupchak dealing him, but Bynum's inability to stay healthy might give the term new meaning.
Bynum has shown the potential to be a dominant NBA center, but each time he seems ready to take the next leap in his development a new knee injury occurs.
It may finally be time for Kupchak to let go of his dream of Bynum carrying the Lakers into the future, and shift his focus to making a healthy effort to acquire Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard as soon as possible.
Howard will not be a free agent until 2012, but it could be in the Lakers best interests to start their courtship as soon as their 2011 playoff run has ended.
There has been plenty of speculation that Howard was on the Lakers radar anyway, but Bynum's newest injury and the realization that his health can never be taken for granted should increase the sense of urgency.
Even if Bynum's knee is only hyper-extended, the threat of major injury hovers over him like a black cloud, and as demonstrated on Tuesday, Bynum is always one misstep away from a major storm.
The time may have come for the Lakers to cut their ties with Bynum and the perpetual soap opera of uncertainty that seems to surround him.
Howard has expressed no real desire to play anywhere else besides Orlando, but it's almost certain that he will listen if the Lakers make an offer, and the move could be in his best interests.
Teams like Chicago and Miami have surpassed Orlando in the East, and they enter this year's playoffs with their weakest roster in the past three seasons.
Magic general manager Otis Smith has been daring with his roster moves in an effort to improve his team, but most of the changes have left Orlando cash-strapped and with no clear vision for the future.
Howard has said how much winning an NBA championship means to him, but will Smith ever be able to surround him with the necessary talent to realize his goal?
Unless Deron Williams decides to join Howard in Orlando then it's doubtful the Magic will be making any Finals appearances anytime soon, but in Los Angeles, Howard could reach that goal in his first season.
I'm not sure what it would take to get a deal for Howard done, but the Lakers franchise has stayed relevant because of their ability to attract elite talent and Howard certainly fits the mold.
Maybe Bynum will be healthy enough to help the Lakers accomplish their historic goals this season, but by now management should be tired of dealing with Bynum's "maybe" health status.
I have come to appreciate the potential that Bynum has displayed on occasion, but if the Lakers could find a way to acquire Howard, I will quickly thank Bynum for his service and send him on his way.
