Should the Lakers trade Bynum for Howard?

[Randy]

My concern is that this doesn't change anything.  I actually think that Bynum is a better defensive player than Howard but Howard is a far better defensive player and rebounder.  I'd definately pull the trigger on this deal.  It is interesting that people are concerned about Howard's health vs. Bynum's health (what a difference a year makes).

But my real problem is this:  Gasol and Bynum aren't really compatible together.  Gasol likes to play with his back to the basket and that's where Bynum plays.  The Lakers are trying to make Gasol into an 18' jump shooter (a real waste, if you ask me).  I think the Lakers need to trade Gasol for a PF who is a good defensive player but likes to play outside in rather than inside out (Josh Smith of the Hawks comes to mind).  The only way I see Gasol working effectively is in an offense where they play him out around the free throw line and let the offense run through him (which I don't see happening since the Lakers now have Nash, Bryant and Bynum -- all who want the ball in their hands -- actually Nash might not insist but he is the one that the Lakers need the ball in his hands -- imagine Kobe and Nash in a pick and roll).

Anyway, if the Lakers could get Howard for Bynum, should they?

And should they keep Gasol?

[ziggy]

DW12 has said that he doesn't want to play for the Lakers, because he wants to separate himself from Shaq.  He has said he will only resign with the Nets.  He has been pretty flaky for the past year.  Regardless of how some guys may or may not fit together, I think there is to much risk for the Lakers with him.  Bynum is better offensively, Howard is better defensively.  Bynum has already shown that he can be efficient, and accept a smaller role.
If I was the Lakers I would pass.

[Laker Fan]

I would pull the trigger if we keep Gasol or Bynum to pair with him, Gasol is the problem regarding salary and LA would need to clear room so it would be Gasol to go. Besides, he lacks the aggressiveness he had before Bynum starting asserting himself in the low post, there game is too different in many respects, Gasol can create but Bynum not so much.

Howard with Bynum in the frontcourt would own the boards both ends of the floor and while you lose Gasol's range, you force an inside out game which with Steve Nash now in the line up to match Kobe, means one on one defense and that favors LA every day of the week.

The cat that has to go is Artest, inconsistent and doesn't fit the point guard directed offense Nash will bring to the floor, he likes to create his own shot and isn't very good at it.

[Randy]

Ziggy -- I actually think I agree with you -- especially the way that Howard has been acting lately.  One day he says yes to the Lakers and the next day he says no.  Of course, I think Orlando has to send him packing -- he has become a nightmare to deal with -- which is a real shame because I thought he was pretty class when he came into the league.  I wouldn't want Howard and Bynum together -- that would be worse than Bynum and Gasol. 

As for Artest, I agree -- I hated that trade when it happened.  I do have to say, I would LOVE for the Lakers to be able to pick up Grant Hill.  He is off getting the same surgery that Kobe got on his knees but he could still play quality bench minutes and maybe even finish some games for us.  He would definately be an upgrade over our present bench. 

[WayOutWest]

Bynum and Dwight on the same team would be a disaster.

Dwight doesn't want to sign long term with L.A. because he does not want to be the third option behind Kobe and Gasol, with Nash in the mix he might slip further. Nash would actually make D12 a more effective scorer, dunks galore IMO.

Bynum doesn't care if he is a Laker or not after next year, he has already stated he wants to go to Dallas, Houston, or Cleveland. 

Lakers do not have much of a shot at D12 now that Bynum has stated he will not sign an extension if traded to Orlando, plus Bynum would be foolish to sign an extension with anyone when he can just wait one year and sign a new longterm max dollar contract when he is a FA.

I would trade Bynum for D12 in a heartbeat if D12 signs a long term deal, I would not do it just to rent D12 for one year because the Lakers have a better shot of resigning Bynum than D12 when they become FA's.

[Ted]

IMO, the Lakers just got real scary.

If Kobe can get used to moving without the ball, Steve Nash will make insane things happen. Remember when Jordan moved to the post and unleashed the turnaround fadeaway? Imagine Kobe posting up smaller SGs or running the pick and roll with Nash? With his size and strength. Daaaamn.

It all depends on what Kobe does. Trade Gasol for some outside shooting and let Nash feed Kobe and Bynum in the post. Scary.