Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 at 11:15 am  |  63 responses

Report: Lakers to Target Dwight Howard and Chris Paul


One of the reasons we just went through that painful lockout, was the claim by small-market team owners that they’re sick and tired of teams like the Lakers gobbling up all of the major talent in the NBA. Well, um, …. From Sheridan Hoops: “It’s not hard to tell who won this war–the owners, especially the big ones. Nor is it hard to tell which of them won the most: That was Jerry Buss, the biggest of all. When the NBA couldn’t get a full ban on sign-and-trades, it left his Lakers in position to pull off a coup they’re dreaming of, which would make signing LeBron James pale by comparison. If Dwight Howard and Chris Paul wind up on the market — a safe assumption as far as I’m concerned — the Lakers could offer Andrew Bynum for Dwight and Pau Gasol for CP3, or vice versa. Nothing says that they will be enough to land either player, but it should put the Lakers in the running for both. (Oh, and Dwight likes the Lakers. Asked which All-Star he would most like to play with last season, he answered ‘Kobe Bryant.’) Nor will finances be a problem, ever again. … Next season, the Lakers start their 20-year, $3 billion deal with Time Warner, which will take them from their annual $30 million from Fox Sports West to $150 million. On paper, that would put the Lakers, who now average a profit of $45-60 million, zooming past $150 million. In fact, an informed source projects an even higher figure, in the $170 million range. (To put that in perspective, Forbes said the Knicks made a league-leading $64 million profit in 2009-10. The Lakers will more than double that.) In either case, Jerry, Jim and Jeannie Buss are going to have a lot to say about what happens in this league for a long time …”

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  • Jerry West

    Lakers will get D. Howard, whether it’s now, mid-season, or at the end of the season via sign-and-trade, if howard says he wants in LA, he will go there.
    CP3 is going to the Clippers if it’s by trade(for Gordon + young players), otherwise going to the Knicks via free agency

  • http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

    Co-sign Rik Smits Mullet.

  • golakeshow

    Oh ya shove that up your ass Magic and Hornets. Kobe doin work. 2-4 on my shirt. He the greatest on the court, and im the greatest on the verse. Going for the 4th ring like it was his first. Gotta get the bling, do it for kareem

  • igotgame

    Howard re signs ,poor lakers.

  • YoLu

    I see Howard and Westbrook being the next Shaq and Kobe.

  • YoLu

    *in LA.

  • J Taylor

    I think the article should change it’s premise… It should be the lakers target dwight howard, and if they dont get him they will target ONE of the big PG’s in next year’s FA period. Howard to Lakers for Bynum and Odom is fair. If they get Howard they only need to upgrade the PG with a SERVICABLE player. Howard and Pau lock down the glass and eliminate all rebounding concepts for opponents. They also draw double teams and free up space for everyone else. In this method, a PG is only needed to feed Kobe, Pau, Howard and Ron. (Depth is a concern however… but with the forementioned players, it wouldnt be hard to attract mercenary vets.)

  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    Kobe has 5 rings.

  • Justin

    jayb, trading Bynum for Howard does not make himself look like a drafting failure. You see a trade that makes your team better and you take it, plain and simple. And golakeshow, that’s some of the worst “rhymes” I’ve ever seen.

  • Cool Dude

    Lakeshow is probably secretly Drake.

  • http://slamonline.com Brad Long

    Did some one really say that Darius Morris just needed a little work to be on CP3′s level? Epic Fail.

  • MagicAllDay

    Anybody who really knows Dwight n the person knows he is def. not going to LA..he plays by his own rules and wants to be viewed as a leader not a follower..yes he will probably move on from the Magic but will either go to the Nets or the Knicks. You guys talk like he’s gone already..he’s still a Magic n has shown his desire to want to stay a Magic. With this new amnesty clause hopefully the Magic will get rid of Arenas contract n will now have the cap space to make the necessary roster moves to keep him. Dwight is a smart guy n if he does have to move on it isn’t going to be to an aging team with a brand new coach. He would def want to put himself in the best position possible to win a title and the Lakers are def not it.

  • Jay2fly

    The Lakers can’t come up with a package better then what the Nets. They’re offering drafts Picks, young talented center AND cap space. First of all, Bynum for Dwight doesn’t even work with the current CBA. Secondly, the orlando magic want cap relief. They don’t want to be paying the luxiry tax for a team that has andrew bynum as the face of the franchie, a guy that only gives you 30-25 minutes a game.

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