Lakers Rumors: Chris Paul and Dwight Howard to Lakers Is Unrealistic

Thanks to Mark Heisler's latest column at Sheridan Hoops, Los Angeles Lakers fans everywhere have begun to celebrate the fact that they think they will land both Chris Paul and Dwight Howard.

I hate to cut the Lakers fans celebration short and bust that bubble, but that has absolutely no shot at happening.

It just won't. It's unrealistic to even think it.

I will give Lakers owner Jerry Buss plenty of credit. They haven't been afraid of making the bold move in the past. All of the banners hanging down from the Staples Center attest to that.

But this latest situation in which Howard and Paul would join Kobe Bryant on the Lakers is pure fiction.

For one, Heisler's main reasoning for believing that this could happen is that the Lakers could deal Andrew Bynum and some draft picks to Orlando for Howard in a sign-and-trade. Then, according to Heisler, the Lakers would ship Pau Gasol to New Orleans in exchange for Paul.

I will give the idea of Howard becoming a Laker as a real possibility, if not almost a lock. Howard has stated his desire to play in Los Angeles and a package involving Bynum and some picks could be as an attractive an offer as the Magic get.

The only possibility of Howard not becoming a Laker next season could be if the Clippers sneak in and steal him.

Acquiring Paul as well is where all of this becomes a bit farfetched.

First of all, he's already stated his desire to play in New York.

Then, there is the plan of thinking that the Lakers would get him in a deal for Gasol.

If the Hornets were to deal Paul, it would certainly be to get younger and more talented. What would they want with Gasol, who would turn 32 years old by next season?

The Hornets would certainly want Bynum and some picks as part of any deal to send Paul to Los Angeles. That's the main reason why Heisler's plan is completely unrealistic.

Plus, the Hornets are being run by the NBA at the moment and they aren't going to allow that type of deal to happen. They are trying to save the sinking franchise, not stick the fork in it.

The Lakers will end up getting their man next season, once again giving them one of the league's best duos, but they won't get both.