6 players the Lakers should have never gambled on

By Jason Reed | Aug 13, 2023

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 22: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on January 22, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) – Dwight Howard /

The Lakers should have never gambled on Dwight Howard

The Lakers were at the end of the team’s championship window in 2012 and needed to shake something up. If Los Angeles was going to get Kobe Bryant one more title to tie Michael Jordan they were going to have to do something big. That is exactly what the team did.

Among other moves, the Lakers traded for superstar Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard. Los Angeles actually got Howard for a great price, just trading Andrew Bynum and a lottery-protected first-round pick for the big man. All things considered, that is a great price.

It being a great price doesn’t mean that it worked out, though. Howard instantly did not fit in on the Lakers as he and Kobe did not mesh the way the team had hoped. The result was a disappointing regular season that ended with a sweep in the NBA Playoffs.

That being said, the Lakers were actually turning the corner late in the season. It was the last time Kobe would play at a truly elite level as he tore his Achilles late in the season, rendering him out for the playoffs.

If Kobe would have stayed healthy then maybe he and Howard would have made a deep run in the playoffs. But based on what actually happened, it is safe to say that the team should not have gambled on Howard.

At least his second tenure in LA resulted in a championship.

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