Lakers Trade Rumors: Andrew Bynum for Dwight Howard Isn't as Good as Fans Think

There's no doubt that acquiring Dwight Howard would be a big move for the Lakers. He's a perennial All-Star and the best big man in the NBA. But just because it's a big move, doesn't mean it's the right one.

As Ken Berger of CBSSports wrote, this is a move that now looks at least possible. There's no doubt that it would be an upgrade. Andrew Bynum is not the kind of player that Dwight Howard is. 

But let's dig a little deeper into what Berger said.

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"Bynum may or may not be on the Magic's list of suitable replacements for Howard in a potential deal that also would have to include young players on rookie contracts and draft picks."

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I'm certainly not the only one who knows that Howard's the better player. Anyone who's ever watched the two of them play knows that. Even if you haven't done that, just look up their career statistics.

Dwight Howard	PPG	RPG	BPG
2010-2011 Season	22.9	14.1	2.4
Career	18.2	12.8	2.2

Andrew Bynum	PPG	RPG	BPG
2010-2011 Season	11.3	9.4	2.0
Career	10.5	7.1	1.5

It's pretty obvious who the better player is. But there's a catch to that.

It's equally obvious to the Magic.

Why did the Lakers lose to the Mavericks in the playoffs last year? Well, there are really a lot of reasons for that. But basically, Los Angeles looked very old and their lack of depth showed. 

So, even if Dwight Howard is the ultimate payoff, is trading multiple young players and/or draft picks really the way to go? That would hurt their depth problem, as well as their age problem. 

It's not like they have a scrub in Bynum. After all, he averaged better than 11 points and nine boards a season ago. Those numbers were down from his previous four seasons. 

He's also only 24. Howard is by no means an old man, but he is the older of the two. 

Again, as a straight-up deal, this is a no-brainer for the Lakers. But it's not a straight-up deal. That's why it's not a great one. Star power doesn't always equate to a better team. With everything that the Lakers would have to give up to get Howard, their team wouldn't improve.

The Lakers are already an old team with little depth. This trade wouldn't do anything to help either. 

Howard's not a bad thought, but he's too expensive. The Lakers are better suited looking for an elite point guard. Howard is a great player, but he's not the best answer to the team's problems. Actually, the trade as a whole would at best leave the Lakers stagnant.

Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard in the same lineup looks good. But when you consider how little would be around them to make that duo a reality, it wouldn't bring Los Angeles any closer to a championship.