Lakers Rumors: Dwight Howard Trade Is Only Way to Avoid Kobe Bryant Hangover

Dwight Howard is the best big man in the league and the only player who would allow the Lakers to stay on top once Kobe Bryant retires.

Mark Heisler of Sheridanhoops.com indicates that the ambitious Lakers want to land Chris Paul and Howard. While finding a way to bring them both in may not work out, Howard can allow them to sustain an elite level of play and become the next great Laker to uphold their storied tradition.

It's easy to forget that Howard is only 25 years old. To think that we haven't seen Howard's best yet is almost unfathomable.

Bringing in Howard would give Kobe a chance to win another championship on his way out and he would be the ultimate centerpiece to build their future around.

Howard may be struggling to get it going by himself in Orlando, but he's a perfect fit in LA. He loves the media and the media loves him. He would thrive in the big market and players would be itching to join him in LA to forge a dynasty-caliber team.

With a little help, Howard would help the Lakers and Heat create one of the biggest rivalries in basketball. Multiple Finals clashes would be inevitable.

The Celtics are on the verge of falling into irrelevancy. In order to avoid the same fate, the Lakers have to make a blockbuster move now.

Howard is the perfect player to build around and the Lakers would completely avoid a down period where they weren't in contention to win it all.

The Magic can resist trading Howard away. However, unless they want to end up like Cleveland did when they got nothing in return for LeBron, they are going to be forced to grit their teeth and deal away their superstar.

Trading him away to a potential contender in the East wouldn't entice the Magic nearly as much as sending him to an opponent in the West. That way, they wouldn't have to see him in the playoffs, year in and year out.