Lakers Rumors: Lakers Come to Senses with Willingness to Deal Andrew Bynum

Get ready for the Dwight Howard era of the Los Angeles Lakers. That future seems destined now that the Lakers have decided that Andrew Bynum is not untouchable.

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reported that his company learned from "a person with knowledge of the team's strategy," that "executive Jim Buss finally has dropped his opposition to trading center Andrew Bynum 'for the right deal.'"

While Buss didn't come out and say, it is safe to assume the conclusion this tweeter has arrived upon.

This is absolutely the right move for the Lakers.

The Trade

This trade would make sense for both teams. The Magic are in a position to lose Howard for nothing. They will not be able to find a more promising young center to replace Howard than Bynum.

The Lakers center is still only 24 years old, and while he has a history of injuries, he is coming off of a season where he played 54 regular season games and 10 postseason games.

Bynum has a good low-post game. He averaged 14.4 points in last year's playoff run for the Lakers and is much more polished on the offensive end than Howard.

Bynum is also solid on the glass. He averaged 9.4 boards last season.

This will be the best option for the Magic. Any team that trades for Howard will want him to sign an extension first, and Howard certainly has a short list of clubs he'd consider, and you have to believe the Lakers are on that list.

That list likely consists of contending teams in big markets. Of those teams, there is not another one that has a piece they'd be willing to deal that is as compelling as Bynum.

What Lakers Would Gain

Howard and Pau Gasol would fit perfectly together.

They would combine to make the most complete big man combination in the league and one of the all-time best.

With Pau, Howard would not be expected to carry the offensive with his limited low-post game. This will free Dwight up to focus on grabbing offensive boards and dump off passes when Kobe or Pau are double teamed. 

It is on the defensive end where the Lakers would receive the biggest benefit.

Howard's enormous presence in the block would limit Gasol's defensive liabilities.

Gasol wouldn't have to worry about spending minutes guarding someone that can out-muscle him down low. It would also free him up to get right in the face of forwards that can shoot from the outside. With Howard behind him, Gasol won't have to be as concerned with players driving past him.

That benefit extends to all Lakers players. The acquisition of Dwight Howard would instantly improve not just the interior defense, but their defense on the perimeter.

Probability: 90 percent

Now that the Lakers are willing to deal Bynum, this move seems inevitable. It is just the natural progression of the NBA. The Lakers get the game's best center at some point.

The only way this deal will not happen is if the Magic feel they have a chance to re-sign Howard and decide to hold onto him.

Conclusion

The Lakers have wanted to believe that Bynum was going to be the next great center. They drafted him and felt a sense of pride for having "discovered" him.

While Bynum has shown the potential to be great, he lacks consistency and has serious injury concerns. He certainly is valuable, but Dwight Howard is a far more reliable and proven asset.

If you have a chance to acquire him, there is no excuse to pass on it due to Bynum's potential