Lakers Trade Rumors: Dwight Howard Should Not Be Object of LA's Desire

The Los Angeles Lakers were tired of other teams getting all the headlines, so they decided to announce that they want to trade for Chris Paul and Dwight Howard. While that news did not surprise anyone, it would be foolish for them to pursue Howard in any kind of deal.

Howard is the best center in the NBA. His presence in the paint changes games and everyone around him looks better because he is commanding double teams. It is obvious why the Lakers would be interested in him.

According to Mike Bresnahan and Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers did have a conversation with the Magic about Howard’s possible availability but no trade offer was made.

"

The Lakers spoke briefly with Orlando on Tuesday about the availability of center Dwight Howard, the Times has learned, a conversation described as "cursory" by a league official with knowledge of the situation.

Translation: The discussion was unproductive.

In fact, no trade proposals were even exchanged.

"

I can’t imagine what the Lakers would want with Howard right now anyway, other than the fact that he is a big name. They are championship contenders as it is, but their biggest problem is age, specifically at the point guard position.

Derek Fisher is a great leader, but he is also 37 years old and couldn’t keep up with me on the court. He is a liability that this team has to fix before they even get to the postseason.

Howard would look good in a Lakers uniform, sure, but they can win a championship with Andrew Bynum, who when healthy is easily the second-best center in the NBA.

Paul needs to be the focus for the Lakers in any trade discussion that they have because he actually fills a position of great need.

Bynum may not ever play in 70 games again, but so long as the Lakers have him for more than half the season and in the playoffs, they can win a championship with him.

Trading for Howard just leaves the Lakers in the same position that they were in at the end of last season because they don’t have anyone who can play the point.

While it makes for a great public relations stunt to say that you want to acquire both Howard and Paul, it is logical that they will only be able to grab one via trade, and if that’s the case, it has to Paul.