With the latest news that the Los Angeles Lakers have pulled out of the Chris Paul deal, all reports point to the Lakers now focusing on Dwight Howard. In an effort to clear cap space and make a more attractive offer to the Magic, the Lakers have traded Lamar Odom into the Mavericks’ trade exception.
This trade exception was created today with the Tyson Chandler trade to the Knicks, and the Mavs are reaping the benefits of their move. Mike Bresnahan tweets that as part of the Odom deal, the Mavericks will be giving the Lakers a 2012 first round pick.
The Odom trade was executed to essentially clear up cap space for Dwight Howard, and the Lakers can now also take up the contract of Hedo Turkoglu or another Magic player. The Lakers will now push for Howard, and they will have to battle with the New Jersey Nets for the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
