NBA Rumors: Dwight Howard, Lakers Trade Talks Heat Up

Once the news broke of yet another trade rumor involving Dwight Howard heading to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, most Lakers fans and NBA analysts wrote it off as speculation and a deal that would never come to fruition.

—- Get your Lakers Nation gear and show off your team pride! —-

Fortunately, the four-team deal including the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets and Orlando Magic may be the be closer to being made than any other proposal we’ve heard this summer.

Apparently, the deal is so close to being made that multiple sources are claiming that Howard might be traded to Los Angeles as early as Friday.

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com claims the deal is “progressing” moving forward:

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith was confident enough in the proposed blockbuster trade sending Howard to L.A. that he believes it is a done deal unless there’s a last minute snag:

It appears that the Lakers may be on the verge of acquiring another superstar center to follow in the line of Hall of Famer centers George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal.

Although it may be premature to add Howard to the list of these Laker greats that dominated the paint in their era, the addition of the three-time Defensive Player of the Year is potentially a giant step in the right direction for Los Angeles.

One of the biggest questions surrounding this potential blockbuster trade is the fate of Pau Gasol. With initial reports claiming Gasol will be dealt to the Magic in this deal and possibly flipped to another team immediately after, Kobe Bryant’s comments about Gasol’s future in Los Angeles may have been false.

Fortunately, the Lakers still may be able to pull off this game-changing trade without including the two-time NBA champion. According to Ric Bucher of ESPN.com, Gasol may not be involved in this deal:

It remains to be seen if Gasol is ultimately included in the deal. If so, the Lakers will have to go in another direction at power forward by considering Jordan Hill or Antawn Jamison for the starting role next season.

Forward Al Harrington might also get some consideration for the position if added in the deal.

You May Also Like

Lakers News: Darvin Ham Believes D’Angelo Russell Is Benefitting From Continuity & Chemistry With Teammates

So far this preseason, one of the most impressive players for the Los Angeles Lakers has been point guard D’Angelo Russell…

Lakers News: Mitch Kupchak Doesn’t Expect Kobe Back In Two Weeks

The Los Angeles Lakers have been like Jekyll and Hyde this season.…

Luke Walton: Lakers Convinced LeBron James To Not Play Remainder Of 2018-19 NBA Season

As the Los Angeles Lakers started to fall out of Western Conference playoff contention, LeBron James maintained he would…

Lakers News: LeBron James Knew Right Away That Austin Reaves Would Fit Well With Him

With things getting close down the stretch as the Memphis Grizzlies tried to take over Game 1 of their first round playoff series…