Remember when predictions came out on how the Lakers would do next season? L.A. stood at a 12-1 shot to win a championship. Apparently with the acquisition of Steve Nash, the Lakers have jumped to an 8-1 chance of winning a title. That is doing 33 percent better than they were before. The jump is great, but the Lakers still have a long way to go. Three teams remain ahead of Los Angeles in the odds; the Miami Heat (2-1), Oklahoma City Thunder (3-1) and Chicago Bulls (3-1). This begs the question of what will happen if the Lakers acquire Dwight Howard.
As of now, Howard is still a potential exchange for Bynum. Lakers Nation writer Ramneet Singh wrote about rumors of a trade today concerning Bynum and another unknown Lakers player. It appears that Pau Gasol has a better chance of remaining in purple and gold with the addition of Nash, but it makes me wonder who that other player may be.
This article would not be complete without wishing the happiest of birthdays to Pau Gasol. The Lakers forward is turning 32 today. If you would like to pass on the wish yourself, you can always tweet the Lakers 2-time champion, @PauGasol.
Lakers Nation News
Lakers’ Odds of Winning Title in 2013 Improve with Addition of Steve Nash
Los Angeles Notifies Player He Will Be in Howard Deal
Steve Nash Vitamin Water Commercial Circa 2009: I’m Just Like You, Only Better
Ulterior Motive for Steve Nash Signing with the Lakers?
The Immediate Influence of Steve Nash on the Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers News
2012-2013 Lakers Reminiscent of… [Forum Blue and Gold]
Steve Nash on Kobe and Mike Brown [Los Angeles Lakers Blog]
“Ill Be Good Cop to Kobe’s Bad Cop”- Steve Nash [Lakers Blog]
Lakers Will be Fascinating to Watch [The Point Forward]
Nash Called Kobe Before Agreeing to Sign and Trade Deal [ESPN LA]
Here’s What Kobe’s Goatee Looks Like [Silver Screen and Roll]
Lakers Not Moving Gasol After Nash Trade [Pro Basketball Talk]
Why You Never Doubt the Lakers [SB Nation]
Nash “Didn’t See” Suns Exit Coming [Hang Time Blog]
One More Reason to Like Steve Nash, He’s Batman [Los Angeles Lakers Blog]
Steve Nash Through the Years [OC Register]
Without Dwight, Lakers Still Not Favorite [Lakers Blog]
NBA News
Mavericks Turn Attention to Ramon Sessions [ESPN Dallas]
Derek Fisher Interested in Nets, 4 Other Teams [SI Tracking Blog]
Tony Parker Cleared to Play for France in Olympics [ESPN]
Jason Kidd Agrees to Deal With Knicks [ESPN New York]
Heat Make Pitch to Ray Allen [NBA.com]
Dwight Howard Would Cost the Nets Over 100 Million in Luxury Taxes [SB Nation]
USA Basketball: Reshaping the Roster [Hang Time Blog]
Nick Young Reaches Deal to Come to Philadelphia [Pro Basketball Talk]
Clippers to Keep Chauncey Billups, Get Jamal Crawford [ESPN]
Lin Agrees to Sign Offer Sheet With Rockets [ESPN New York]
Celtics, Brandon Bass Reach 3 year Deal [SI Tracking Blog]
Brandon Roy Reaches Verbal Agreement with Timberwolves [ESPN]