NBA Trade Rumor: Now That Chris Paul Is a Clipper, Dwight Howard Will Be a Laker

Hollywood shouts the Lakers. Showtime shouts the Lakers. The Staples Center is where the Lakers play, and also where that other LA team happens to play too. Now that the LA Clippers have acquired Chris Paul, expect the Lakers to acquire Dwight Howard before the season starts.

Jerry Buss and company will not allow the “other” LA team to showcase Blake Griffin and Chris Paul in their building without making a blockbuster trade of their own.

Although the Clippers gave up quite a bit for the ultra-talented Chris Paul, they knew they had to make some significant move to finally become relevant in the Western Conference. They ultimately sent an All Star in Chris Kaman, a pair of recent top ten draft picks in Eric Gordon and Al-Farouq Aminu and an unprotected first round pick from Minnesota, which is a top five pick for all practical purposes. In return, they get one of the best point guards in the league, and more importantly, a player who can complement Blake Griffin very well.

Simply said, the Lakers will not stand pat. After their embarrassing exit from the playoffs this summer, and with Kobe closer to the end of his career than the start, the Lakers front office knows the time to win is now. It is clear that Gasol has peaked and Artest has other priorities, like World Peace. The big question mark is the volatile but productive Bynum who has unquestionable upside. The problem is that upside increases trade value, not the number of championships you have. Therefore, it is imperative for the Lakers to make a trade for Dwight Howard immediately. It should center on Bynum and Gasol, sprinkle in some fillers and part ways with one or two first round picks.

The Magic would be foolish not to make that trade. It is clear that Dwight is going to bolt as a free agent next summer. The Magic might as well get a solid center, an experienced forward and a handful of picks to rebuild the franchise.

It is déjà vu for the Lakers. 15 years ago a big center from Orlando came into LA and led the team to three championships. All these years later, expect something similar to happen again. If Dwight comes to LA, Kobe’s window to win suddenly expands by three more years, and his dream of chasing Jordan’s six is a reality.