Dwight Howard, Monta Ellis to L.A.: Can Kobe Bryant and Lakers form a big three?

The Heat came within two games of winning an NBA title in the first year of their "big three" experiment, causing some to proclaim Miami's philosophy was overrated.

However, there were many who may not have supported the Heat who realized the potential of their team structure.  Coming within two wins of a championship is not bad at all for a team that has been together for barely a year.

So while many choose to attempt to prove that the Heat's structure is flawed, it must be noted that the Heat caught the attention of other NBA teams, like the Knicks and Bulls, which are on the cusp of having a "big three" of their own.

Additionally, it seems that Miami may have peaked the interest of at least one other team: the Lakers.

The Lakers, which usually play to the beat of their own drum, might be taking a page out of Miami's book and exploring the possibility of forming a "big three" in Los Angeles. 

Los Angeles has always been linked to rumors regarding acquiring Dwight Howard, but now there are reports that they may be in the running for Warriors guard Monta Ellis.

After being swept by the now NBA-champion Mavericks, we cannot really question the Lakers' logic in exploring this possibility.  They are a team that has been together for quite some time now.  To see how far a first-year team like the Heat went makes the possibility more than enticing.

However, a few things may stand in the way.

Although the Lakers are on Howard's preferred list of destinations, they still have to sell him on the fact that they go deeper than just the likes of Kobe Bryant.  Los Angeles is an old team, a house of cards, if you will.  Howard wants to go into a situation where he can compete long term, not just short term.

This makes the Lakers connection to Ellis sensible.  He averaged 24.1 points, 5.6 assists and over two steals per game.  Ellis has been chastised for his defensive play, but the two steals per game shows that there is potential on his part.  Not to mention he would be just the offensive firepower the Lakers need to pair alongside Bryant.

Additionally, Ellis is capable of running the point effectively.  If the Lakers choose to start him at the one, he would be a major upgrade over the likes of Derek Fisher.  Also, he will be only 26 next season, providing the Lakers with some much-needed youth and making them that much more appealing to Howard.

It sounds like a great plan, but appeasing Howard's preferences is not the only roadblock facing the Lakers.  Los Angeles' ability to acquire both players is a major obstacle the Lakers may find difficult to overcome.

The Lakers have the assets to trade for either Howard or Ellis hands down, but they will be hard-pressed to trade for both.

Obviously, the preference of the team and its fans would be to trade for Howard. But acquiring Ellis may prove essential to that plan.  And trading for Ellis and then signing Howard next summer is out of the question, with the lingering CBA and the Lakers' lack of cap space.

What can the Lakers do?

Well, any package for Howard would involve Andrew Bynum or Pau Gasol being the centerpiece, so one is off-limits in any potential Ellis deal.  

Additionally, it is unlikely a straight-up trade for Bynum or Gasol and Howard could occur because we must assume Orlando is not at the point of desperation.  More than likely, it would take Bynum or Gasol, Lamar Odom and a draft pick and/or cash to pry Howard from the Magic, which may also insist on the Lakers taking back a bloated contract.

Basically, the Lakers' ability to bring both Howard and Ellis to Los Angeles depends on Golden State's asking price for Ellis.  Reports have the 76ers dangling Andre Iguodala in an attempt to acquire Ellis, which sets the bar pretty high.

However, the Lakers can try and put together a package consisting of Ron Artest, Matt Barnes and a first-round pick. That may not get it done, but is a good starting point.

Notice how Gasol or Bynum is absent from the aforementioned proposal?

If the Warriors are truly looking to rid themselves of Ellis, the Lakers should try to hold on to one of the big men and give themselves a legitimate chance at assembling a "big four."  It's unlikely, but we cannot discount it. Chances of it happening increase if the Warriors like Barnes' versatility and are willing to take a chance on Artest.

Regardless, it is worth it for the Lakers to attempt to bring both Ellis and Howard to Los Angeles, even if it means giving up Gasol and Bynum.

It would be great if Gasol could remain. But at this point, the Lakers, with a core of aging players and no first-round draft picks this year, must remain open to anything.  And to be brutally honest, Howard makes both Gasol and Bynum expendable because he is such an unstoppable force down low.

As hard as it may be for the Lakers and their fans to admit, they are limited in the ways they can rebuild a championship contender.  Kobe is too old for them to start from scratch and their cap is too high for them to add players strictly via free agency.

Can the Lakers form their own "big three"?  Yes.

Will the Lakers form their own "big three"?  Maybe, maybe not.  But they need to at least try. 

Right now, they have set their sights on adding Howard, but they have to add youth and firepower as a stepping stone to that goal.  And Ellis may be that stepping stone.

Yes, many may prefer a team like the Mavericks and Celtics, where there are a balance of stars and strong role players, but the Lakers do not have the resources nor the time to build such a team.  And given that the Heat proved they could trump teams structured like the Celtics, the best play for the Lakers is to go after both Ellis and Howard.

If Los Angeles is serious about ensuring they remain strong championship contenders as Kobe plays through his twilight years, forming a "big three" may not be just an option, but the only viable option.

As a result, the Lakers need to buckle down and start evaluating their situation.  Should they let Philadelphia acquire Ellis, they will have missed a golden opportunity to add both a competent scorer to pair with Bryant and an asset that helps lure Howard into purple and gold.

Unlike the Heat, the Lakers' "big three" aspirations may not be an experiment, but rather a necessity that they absolutely need to pursue.

 At all costs.