NBA Rumors Roundup: Dwight Howard and Chris Paul to Los Angeles Lakers and More

Amidst all of the NBA trade rumors, the Los Angeles Lakers' dream scenario is to trade for both Chris Paul and Dwight Howard.

However, just because Paul, Howard and the Lakers are the talk of the league presently does not mean that there isn't a flurry of other intriguing news circulating around the league.

There are some up-and-coming teams with significant cap space and appear poised to make a serious move in the standings, and some familiar faces in new places could really shift the picture.

Joel Przybilla

Przybilla likely appeals to a variety of contending teams as a veteran center off the bench who brings legitimate size to the second unit, but those clubs might have to look elsewhere.

The big man appears to be leaning toward retirement rather than returning to action, and it's tough to blame him for that decision after enduring multiple knee injuries.

He's not someone who will garner a lot of headlines, but he would've been a good addition to a competitor looking to fill a distinct role in the second unit.

Jason Kapono

Kapono was an afterthought for the Sixers last season, but there's always a role for a sharpshooter capable of hitting it from deep on a team looking for perimeter help.

The Los Angeles Lakers fit that description exactly, and Kapono is reportedly close to a deal for one or two seasons for the veteran's minimum with the team.

He'll serve as depth in the second unit and help to stretch the floor with the reserve group—something the Lakers were completely unable to do last season.

Brandon Roy

There was significant chatter around Roy being a victim of the amnesty clause and being waived from the Trail Blazers, but that's no longer the talk from the team.

Not only will Roy remain on the roster, but he'll have a chance to be a part of the starting unit, and Portland has to be interested to see what he can still bring to the table.

The Trail Blazers would have to pay Roy's salary even if the team decided to "amnesty" him, and the fans of the city love him, so it would make sense to keep him in the fold for the time being and see how his knee issues pan out.

Chris Kaman

Kaman has an expiring $12.2 million contract, and assuming the team can re-sign restricted free agent DeAndre Jordan, Kaman doesn't make much sense for the Clippers to retain.

He's going to have serious appeal as a stopgap solution in the middle and as a lucrative expiring deal, and both the Spurs and Pistons are keeping a "close check" on the veteran.

The big man has struggled to stay on the court consistently over the last few seasons because of injuries, so he'll be looking to contribute in a big way before he hits free agency.

Samuel Dalembert

Dalembert will have appeal to a variety of teams that need a defensive-minded center, but after making $13 million last season, all of those interested clubs might not be able to afford him.

He conceded that it would be difficult for him to sign for the mid-level exception in Miami, and he alluded to the idea that the Houston Rockets really intrigued him as a potential destination for his next team.

The veteran center would bring size and defensive intensity to a front line that could sorely use an injection of both elements into the attack, and the fit certainly makes sense for both sides.

Thaddeus Young

Young has serious appeal as an extraordinarily young and talented player, and his athleticism is really not talked about enough within league circles.

As a restricted free agent, the Sixers will have the opportunity to match any offer he receives, but the Nuggets have already had "good conversations" with him, and those will continue going forward in the free-agency process.

Denver is depleted up front and has a ton of cap space to play with, and Young would be ticketed for a major role with the Nuggets—one that would likely be bigger than what he'd get in Philadelphia.

Caron Butler

Butler met with the Clippers on Monday night and came away impressed enough to agree to meet with the team once again on Tuesday.

Butler's agent said that his client came away "really impressed" with the Clippers' presentation, and he feels that the team can win in the future as the club builds around Blake Griffin.

He'd bring serious toughness and intensity to a group that could use an improvement on the defensive end of the floor, and a pairing of the parties may very well be in the best interest of both sides.

DeAndre Jordan

Jordan is one of the most interesting players available, but as a restricted free agent, the Clippers can match any offer, and the team has said that they plan to do just that.

Los Angeles reportedly has a five-year, $40 million offer ready for Jordan, but the club expects him to sign an offer sheet elsewhere regardless of the club's current stance.

It might seem like a lot of money to dole out at this time, but the team is paying for future performance (rather than past accolades) and Jordan has yet to reach his ultimate potential.

Nene

The sweepstakes to land Nene is in full force, and after he met with the Rockets on Monday, he'll be sitting down with Larry Bird and the Pacers on Tuesday.

He'd play power forward with the Pacers alongside Roy Hibbert, and the center actually led the charge to recruit Nene onto the roster during the offseason as he feels that his addition could really help.

The Pacers have a plethora of cap space to play with and showed promise in the postseason last year, so the addition of Nene would really make this team one to watch.

Deron Williams

Williams said in a radio interview on Monday that there is a "90 percent chance" of him re-signing with the Nets after the season, but there's also about a 90 percent chance he was just being politically correct in his response.

While it's very possible he does re-sign, there's no question he's had thoughts about playing for his hometown Mavericks, and Dallas may very well be saving up for a run at him come the summer of 2012.

With Jason Kidd on the decline, Williams makes obvious sense as the Mavs' point guard of the future, but he'd be passing up a lot of money to sign with the team.

Chris Paul

Paul has been in a bounty of trade rumors since he reportedly asked to be dealt to the Knicks, and it's looking increasingly likely that he'll be dealt sooner rather than later.

Now, the Lakers are expressing very real interest in bringing Paul into the fold and undertaking an unbelievable transformation of their team.

Needless to say, CP3 would be more than just a sizable upgrade at the point guard position, and he would give the team a completely different element that the group hasn't had in quite some time.

Dwight Howard

Howard has been linked to the Lakers for a long time, and the Magic know that there's a tough decision coming in regards to how the team handles his contract situation.

After a report that the Magic and Hornets might be racing one another to execute a trade with the Lakers, now the Los Angeles franchise is targeting both Paul and Howard, a move that would drastically change the perception of the Lakers' future.

It would be a frightening sight for the rest of the league to endure, and while there's a chance it could happen, the team has a much better opportunity of landing one—and if that's the case, all eyes should be fixated on Howard.