Los Angeles Lakers: 3 potential trade packages for Dwight Howard

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena on January 09, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena on January 09, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

3. Trading Dwight Howard to the Chicago Bulls

There are other teams that might make more sense for Dwight Howard but a trade would not be possible. The Charlotte Hornets seem like a really good fit for Howard but they do not have the cap space to take his contract on without sending out another contract, which the Lakers are not going to be interested in doing.

If the Lakers cannot get done one of the first two deals on this list then they should call the NBA team that is second to last in rebounds per game and see if they are interested in Howard’s services. That team is the Chicago Bulls.

Nikola Vucevic is a solid above-average center but the Bulls also do not have much depth behind him. Tony Bradley operates as the team’s backup center in a limiting role but does not have the rebounding nor shot-blocking ability that Howard still has.

Howard would be brought in to essentially be a better version of Bradley. It is not something the Bulls necessarily need to do, but it would improve the team and come at such a cheap cost of a second-round pick that is four years in the future.

Howard has a recent former teammate on the Bulls in Alex Caruso that could vouch for the big man and help the trade happen. With the Bulls being the no. 1 seed in the East, they should look to improve in any way they can and could benefit from having an experienced veteran off the bench instead of an inexperienced Bradley.