Lakers Rumors: Dwight Howard Deal Only Way to Satisfy Angry Fans

The only way for the Los Angeles Lakers to satisfy their angry fans is to make a trade for Orlando Magic superstar Dwight Howard, after the team's reported deal with the New Orleans Hornets for Chris Paul was killed by NBA commissioner David Stern on Thursday.

Acquiring Howard must become the Lakers' top priority. When training camp and free agency opens on Friday, it is going to be a hectic day for the league. Players who were part of the cancelled Paul trade, such as Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, will have an interesting day at camp.

The Lakers need another superstar talent to take them into the future. Kobe Bryant is not going to be a dominating player for much longer, and Gasol is on the decline as well. The Spaniard's playoff performance last season was awful for someone as good as him.

A player like Howard would make Los Angeles the favorites to win the NBA title for the next several seasons, the reason being they would have the best center in the league.

The center position is the most important in the sport, especially in an era of NBA basketball where dominating centers are quite rare. 

Howard is the only center who consistently dominates at both ends of the floor. The Lakers interior defense would be insanely better with Howard. His shot blocking and rebounding prowess is unlike any other big man in basketball.

While the Lakers will be mad they were not able to complete their deal for Paul, they should use this failure to make a hard push for Howard.

Center Andrew Bynum is an intriguing piece for the Magic to consider in a deal for Howard, but that will not be enough for the Lakers to get their man.

Odom and Gasol could very well be part of a Lakers trade with the Magic, considering they are two of the better players L.A. has to offer.

Lakers fans should be angry the Paul trade fell through, but they should also hope their team uses this setback to make an even more aggressive pursuit of acquiring Howard, who is the real target the team needs to remain a Finals contender.