Lakers Rumors: LA's Season Will Be Ruined Unless Dwight Howard Saves Them

Everyone assumed the Lamar Odom-to-the-Mavericks trade was a precursor for the Los Angeles Lakers making a move at Dwight Howard.

But what happens if they don't?

The Orlando Sentinel is hinting that Howard might just stay a Magic (Magician?) for the time being. 

"And I just want to make sure that we have the right things here so we can win a championship," Howard said. "And I'm all about change. If you're willing to change and you're willing to do what it takes to win, then, you know, you've got me."

The Magic have yet to get him some of those surrounding pieces, but it sure sounds like there's a good chance the big man stays on the East Coast. 

Even if the Magic don't keep Howard, the Lakers have plenty of competitors for DH12's services. It's not a gimme by any means.

If LA doesn't somehow wrangle Howard for Andrew Bynum or Pau Gasol, it's going to look extremely bad for Laker fans.

With Odom out of town and Howard in Orlando or somewhere else, LA's star threesome of Bryant, Gasol and Bynum stays the same. 

That part is good. But depth becomes a serious problem. 

Odom was a very, very good sixth man, but, assuming they can't get Howard, they got nothing in return for him to help out this year.

Jason Kapono, Matt Barnes and possibly Andrew Goudelock and Darius Morris are decent role players, but they just make you think, "meh."

Don't get me wrong, this is still a very good starting lineup. It's certainly starting to age and the point guard play will continue to be in question, but it can still easily compete in the West.

But without Odom (and without anything in return to help) and without Howard, this team seems to be pointing downward. 

The Los Angeles Lakers may need Dwight Howard a little more than they think.