At this point the news that the Lakers are interested in both Chris Paul and Dwight Howard has been seen by nearly every internet enthusiast out there. It’s really no surprise, as the Lakers are always looking to improve their roster in any way possible.
Still, if the Lakers want to make a realistic run at both Howard and Paul they will have to pull off some major wheeling and dealing that will involve shipping off nearly every player currently on the roster.
It seems that the Lakers front office is willing to make this sacrifice if it means they can bring in two superstars that will carry them into the next decade. According to ESPN’s Chris Broussard the team is willing to trade any player on the roster besides Kobe Bryant.
The most notable names on the list of potential trade bait for the Lakers are Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. If L.A. wants any chance of landing both Paul and Howard, all three will have to go.
While the Lakers attempting to acquire both Paul and Howard is certainly intriguing, it may not be realistic. The biggest thing the Lakers have going for them is the fact that the New Orleans Hornets and Orlando Magic know they risk getting nothing in return for their superstars if they allow them to become free agents next summer.
Both teams will have to decide whether they want to take the route taken by the Denver Nuggets last season, who traded Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks for a gaggle of players, or if they want to be stuck like the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were left with nothing after James bolted for Miami. If the Hornets and Magic want to make sure they receive pieces for their star players they may look to trade these players, in which case other teams, such as the Lakers, will be waiting.
