After acquiring two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash via sign-and-trade, the Los Angeles Lakers had officially landed another superstar to pair with Kobe Bryant in the backcourt. This move has been considered to be brilliant one with the Lakers only giving up draft picks and greatly improving the point guard position in the process.
Even though the current squad with Nash, Kobe, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum is impressive to say the least, and instantly improves the Lakers’ chances of winning a title next season, Los Angeles may not be done making trades to upgrade the roster.
Once the Lakers officially announced Nash as the newest member to the team in a press conference on Wednesday, GM Mitch Kupchak fielded questions about the team’s intentions moving forward. The one question that was asked more than any other was whether or not the Lakers intend to make another blockbuster trade before next season.
Kupchak responded to these questions with doubts about pulling off another big trade via Mark Medina of L.A. Times:
“We think we’ve got one this year,” Kupchak said. “So you’re asking if we can do that twice? I’m not quite sure that’s possible.”
Obviously, with all the trade chatter surrounding Dwight Howard, the Lakers have been mentioned in multiple trade scenarios to land the superstar center in exchange for Andrew Bynum. Despite doubts about bringing Howard to Los Angeles, the Lakers may have a better chance than ever before to do just that after the Brooklyn Nets were knocked out of contention recently.
Even though Kupchak seems to doubt the prospect of making another blockbuster trade, it remains a distinct possibility a deal might be made with the Lakers seemingly not giving up on Howard until he’s traded elsewhere.
The recent trade rumor involving the Lakers shipping Bynum to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Howard in the three-way deal with the Orlando Magic may be the best trade scenario potentially in the works. It’ll be interesting to see how the Magic’s front office continues to pursue trading Howard with the Nets no longer an option after re-signing center Brook Lopez.
