The Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard era is over, and a new rebuilding project has begun. The team traded the unimpressed super star to the LA Lakers on Friday in a four-team deal that motivated many fans and NBA experts to say the Magic received too little in return but left team officials saying the move given hope for the future.
Weeks and weeks of rumours are finally over. The drama, rumors, and sources can lastly rest as the Los Angeles Lakers have acquired Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic. In the beginning Dwight insisted he would only go to the Brooklyn Nets, then it was claimed that he would make his way to Dallas; nevertheless, Los Angeles will be his residence. The Lakers have added a perennial MVP candidate and three-time Defensive Player of the Year in Howard. With Howard now roaming the paint, the La lakers have a great starting five with Howard, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Steve Nash.
Trading away Howard must theoretically give the Magic a better return on paper than Arron Afflalo, Nikola Vucevic, Maurice Harkless, Al Harrington, Josh McRoberts, three protected future first rounders and a second rounder, but it is certainly a far better trade than Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, Lamar Odom and Goran Dragic. Afflalo might not be as good as Eric Gordon and the pick that became Austin Rivers but he is a legitimate two-way starter at shooting guard.
However The Lakers are losing Bynum to the 76ers, who averaged 18.7 points and 11.7 rebounds per game past season, while Howard put up 20.6 points and 14.5 rebounds. Bynum is the NBA’s second best center by a wide margin, but Howard is the NBA’s best center by an even wider margin.
Howard influences the game defensively that is difficult to quantify even in our superior statistics era of basketball. He additionally gives the Lakers a global star through at least the remaining 7 years of the decade, possibly longer when factoring in his age and how big men remain relevant into their mid thirties.
It has been reported that Free Agent SG Jodie Meeks, 24, has agreed upon 2-year, $3M deal with the La lakers. The second year is a team option. Meeks averaged 8.4 points per game last season with the 76ers and is a career 37% shooter from the arc.
There is no disadvantage whatsoever for the Lakers, who have again acquired the greatest center of his generation. The Lakers can celebrate – until training camp starts at the end of September.
