Lakers Rumors: Chris Paul and Dwight Howard in LA Is More Likely Than You Think
Forget the big three, the Los Angeles Lakers have a very real shot of bringing together the three Hall of Famers.
The word that leaked earlier this week has turned into a full-fledged flood of a rumor. The Lakers are hot to trot for a squad that would trump any of the big three that have popped up in the NBA recently.
This is Hollywood, where the films are blockbuster and the celebrities are A-list. While other teams are busy working how to get Dwight Howard or Chris Paul, the Lakers are toying with the notion of trading for Dwight Howard and Chris Paul.
ESPN's Chris Broussard set off a wildfire when he reported that sources divulged the Lakers were in the mood to shop everyone not named Kobe Bryant for CP3 and Superman.
Indeed, the Lakers are nearing a Justice League of sorts.
Everyone in LaLa land wants to know if this is even possible. Before you brush this off as too ridiculous to be true, consider this is the right time for this sort of deal to happen.
The New Orleans Hornets are looking at the reality that Paul wants out of New Orleans. They don't have the roster to compete nor the pieces to bring in a star that would convince their franchise player to stay.
They are now deep into the we will take the best offer mode. That doesn't mean they will give up Paul for just anybody, but they will certainly jump at the chance to at least trade an All-Star caliber player for another.
This is where the Lakers come in: They are pretty much throwing up a take your pick of Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom.
Brian Kamenetzky of ESPN LA said the Hornets would balk at Gasol, but they may love Bynum. The center would make the Hornets happy leaving the Magic to settle for Gasol.
Such a deal would be sweetened—the Lakers would also consider taking back Hedo Turkoglu's contract in exchange for Lamar Odom.
If not, give a couple weeks. The longer that Paul doesn't sign an extension, the nicer that Gasol and his patchy beard will look to the Hornets. Then again, this could all be a coup to light a fire under the Lakers role players.
The rumors continue to roll on and Los Angeles is abuzz. The rest of the league is knocking on wood because this fairy tale is very close to becoming reality.
