Even with the NBA lockout in full swing, Lakers trade and free-agent speculation has been at an all-time high.
After a disappointing postseason and coming to grips with the difficult reality of Kobe Bryant actually being human, the Lakers have their work cut out for them.
When the lockout ends, the Lakers will consider a number of different possibilities that can improve the team, and will have to extensively explore every one of them.
The most prominent of all Lakers trade rumors remains the possibility of reeling in Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic.
Back in June, Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times wrote an article where he bluntly stated that the Lakers need to trade Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom for Howard and J.J. Redick.
While many see the upside of the aforementioned trade for the Magic, there is a real possibility that it may not be enough to pry Howard away from Orlando.
The Lakers have obviously considered this too, because they have explored other potential opportunities, like Monta Ellis.
Prior to the lockout, Ken Berger of CBS Sports reported that Los Angeles and Golden State discussed a deal where they would exchange Shannon Brown and Lamar Odom for Ellis. Such a deal never came to fruition, forcing the Lakers' search for a premier missing piece to continue.
Since Los Angeles has clearly struggled through its attempt to land a proven star-caliber player to pair with Kobe, it may be time for the Lakers to venture on the unproven path and make a play, after the lockout of course, for Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler.
Chandler, who is a restricted free agent, spent time with both the Nuggets and New York Knicks last season, and showed promise with both teams. He averaged 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, while drawing comparisons to Carmelo Anthony.
What is most impressive about Chandler, though, is his versatility. He has the strength to play the 4, yet the stamina and finesse to play to the 2 or 3.
Such versatility would fit in nicely along side Kobe. Chandler is an above-average defender, and showed flashes of being able to completely take over games offensively last season. Kobe could most certainly use someone like him to help relieve the offensive burden.
He also gives Los Angeles options. The Lakers could start Chandler at the 3 and then move him to the 2 or 4 when Odom and Kobe need breathers.
A roadblock in acquiring Chandler is the Lakers' lack of cap space, which means he would likely have to be obtained through a sign-and-trade with the Nuggets. However, there is a really good possibility that Chandler plans on leaving Denver, meaning he could be available at a discount.
Additionally, the Nuggets, who are interested in getting younger, may not insist on Odom being a part of any deal. Denver would be most interested in a first-round pick, which the Lakers could pair with Matt Barnes or even Ron Artest, who fits the defensive bill the Nuggets are in need of, just to make salaries match up.
Adding Chandler to the rotation of Odom, Bynum, Kobe and Pau Gasol returns the Lakers to contender status. His aggressive style of play would prove invaluable, especially on defense where Kobe’s age does not allow him to move with as much promise as he once did.
No, Chandler is not a proven star, but he has potential, and has already shown he can play a key role in multiple systems.
The Lakers may have an aging core, but they are still effective and only a solid role player away from silencing their critics. And Chandler could be said player.
Besides helping pushing the Lakers over that championship contender hump though, Chandler also helps Los Angeles in its pursuit of Howard.
He would provide a young presence that would entice Howard further, but Chandler also accomplishes something else: He makes Lamar Odom expendable.
This is not to belittle the reigning Sixth Man of the Year’s ability. He is a great player, but this is also part of the problem.
As Plaschke suggests, the Lakers can offer Bynum and Odom for Howard and Redick, but in such a deal Los Angeles loses a reliable role player along with their starting center. Howard may be well worth such a deal, but with Kobe and Pau aging, it does not put the Lakers as far ahead of the game as they would like.
Add Chandler to the group of players remaining in Los Angeles, though, and it's a different story.
Chandler’s strength allows him to pick up minutes at both forward positions like Odom would, in addition to being able to play the 2 in Kobe’s absence.
If nothing else, Chandler at least provides an enticing asset to Orlando that could allow the Lakers to hang on to Odom in any Howard trade.
Either way, making a play for Chandler can only help the Lakers. He could prove to be the missing piece that propels Los Angeles back into title contention, while increasing their chances in any Howard negotiations.
And the Lakers could not ask for a better role player that.
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