The latest NBA Lakers rumors for 2012 take a look at how the dynamics of this team will change with the addition of superstar center Dwight Howard. It's speculated that the team will need to rely on their longtime star, Kobe Bryant, even less. Will he finish his career with the team, or end up elsewhere?
A previous Lakers rumor discussion looked at how this current lineup should rule the NBA in the 2012-13 season. They've got one of the best all-time point guards in Steve Nash. They've got arguably one of the top two shooting guards of all-time with Kobe Bryant, who some even argue is the G.O.A.T., but others laugh that off. Then they've got their newest addition, the future cornerstone of the franchise, Dwight Howard.
A new Bleacher Report article believes that with Howard in town, he's going to start his own "D-Howard era," which will involve Kobe less. It's no secret that Kobe is aging, and probably slowing down, just like Michael Jordan did. It was noted during his Team USA Olympics run (his last) that he was playing smarter. Kobe took a backseat to the other stars like LeBron and Durant, possibly in order to preserve himself. Or maybe he felt he had less to prove than before.
With that in mind, the Lakers head into the 2012-13 season among the top two teams in the league, and arguably the favorites to win the NBA Championship. If they win it, it may be thanks to Dwight Howard's role as the big man dominating the line. The team is going to look to the future with Howard, as they will want to ensure he stays in town for more than just a season. Nash and Kobe are nearing the ends of their respective careers, but Howard is still going. It seems as if Kobe should finish out his career where he started, something even Jordan didn't really do. It's highly doubtful the Lakers would trade him, even though he commands a hefty salary, because he has been their franchise star.
So Kobe should retire as a Laker with no trade demands. Then again, maybe Kobe will decide to un-retire and help out some struggling team when he's in his 40s. If he does, he may want to take the night off they play the Lakers.
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