NBA Rumors: Why Lakers Don't Have Pieces to Land Dwight Howard or Chris Paul

I would never build a franchise around Andrew Bynum, nor would I attempt to do the same with Pau Gasol. For the Los Angeles Lakers to pull off this amazing dual acquisition, they are asking New Orleans and Orlando to do just that.

Andrew Bynum has been injured almost as much as he has been healthy in his six year NBA career. In terms of skill and age, Bynum should be second only to Dwight Howard in regards to centers, but injuries have hindered that ascension.

Can the Magic possibly sell this acquisition to their fan-base as a positive new beginning? I don't think so.

What represents an even less plausible scenario is the Lakers pushing Pau Gasol to the Hornets. Can the Lakers really make out like bandits in two different trades involving Gasol? 

Remember, the Lakers were the benefactors in one of the league's most lopsided trades when they plucked Gasol from the Grizzlies for a bag of basketballs, AKA Kwame Brown and cash.

This time, they would be sending Gasol to New Orleans without a supporting cast of note. It is unlikely the Hornets would even reach the level those Gasol led Memphis Grizzlies' teams did.

The Lakers are hoping that both Howard and Paul will tell their teams, I want to go to the Lakers, that is the only place I will re-sign. Then, that could possibly cause the Hornets and Magic to panic, and take the Lakers' subpar offers.

If the stars make those demands, the teams should hold firm. Neither Gasol nor Bynum will ease the pain of losing Howard and Paul. In fact, it will likely lead to more frustration.