One does not have to be the most astute observer of the NBA to understand that after trading for Dwight Howard, the Lakers are once again expected to compete for a championship. Even with a weak bench -- though free-agent acquisition Antawn Jamison helps its cause -- and having to find a way to keep Howard, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Steve Nash happy, apparently within the Princeton offense, one of the league's perennial glamour teams is once again in the spotlight.
While some have already penciled them into the NBA Finals, the Lakers still have to unseat the Thunder as the best in the West. They'll also have to get past the other rugged teams in the conference such as their Staples Center co-tenant Clippers, the new-look Mavericks, physical Grizzlies, run-and-gun Nuggets and the Spurs, who tied the Bulls for the most regular-season wins last season.
But as much as the new-look Lakers brings memories of the failed Bryant-Shaquille O'Neal-Karl Malone-Gary Payton quartet of the past, with Howard playing with arguably the game's best passer and no longer miscast as his team's primary scoring option --along with Bryant benefiting from playing with an elite playmaker for the first time in his career, as well as Gasol's pick-and-roll strengths likely being highlighted -- the Lakers' formidable starting lineup is impressive.
When it comes to evaluating the trade from Orlando's perspective, it's obvious that they wanted to be done with Howard prior to the start of training camp, especially with a general manager and head coach both in their first year. However, it's hard not to criticize the Magic for not getting more in the deal, particularly when reported offers from the Nets and Rockets seemed so much more beneficial to the organization.
In any event, it appears that the franchise will start from the bottom to rebuild -- shooting guard Arron Afflalo is a legitimate starting-caliber shooting guard, big man Nikola Vucevic had serviceable stretches as a rookie last season, swingman Maurice Harkless is regarded as having one of the higher ceilings in the incoming rookie class and veteran Al Harrington, whose contract is only partially guaranteed in its remaining years, is a trade asset.
On the other hand, the draft choices Orlando acquired are protected picks and don't have as much value as what they would have received from either Brooklyn or Houston, a process that will take time. That strategy worked in both Oklahoma City and San Antonio, where general manager Rob Hennigan and head coach Jacque Vaughn have roots, but in a city weary of the "Dwightmare," with arguably the most impressive arena in the NBA, Magic fans can't be blamed if they're not patient.
For the two other teams involved in the deal, the blockbuster swap should pay major dividends instantly. Philadelphia and Denver were nice young playoff teams last season, but lacked the star power that All-Stars Andrew Bynum and Andre Iguodala, respectively, bring to their new workplaces.
The 76ers had good luck in beating the Bulls in the first round and showed a lot of spunk against the Celtics in the conference semifinals, but they looked to be a team that was a go-to scorer and dominant low-post player away from being taken seriously, weaknesses the organization only addressed in terms of depth in free agency. Although Bynum, a native of nearby New Jersey, isn't guaranteed to sign a long-term contract extension in Philadelphia, the Sixers didn't have to mortgage their future to acquire him.
Iguodala was seemingly on the trading block forever and it was whispered that Chicago native Evan Turner's game wouldn't have a chance to blossom with the All-Star swingman also in the lineup. And with their legion of long, athletic wings (Turner, trade acquisition Dorell Wright, free-agent gunner Nick Young), additional inside help (holdover Thaddeus Young, free agent Kwame Brown, draft pick Arnett Moultrie and re-signed big men Lavoy Allen and Spencer Hawes) and emerging point guard Jrue Holiday, having the second-best center in the league and an impact player on both ends of the floor makes the young squad a force to be reckoned with.
And that's not even taking into account the expected boost in perimeter shooting that veteran Jason Richardson, also acquired in the deal, should provide.
Iguodala is the perfect fit for Denver's run-and-gun style, and while the Nuggets still don't have a true primary scorer, at the very least the USA Basketball defensive stopper is a player familiar with having the ball in his hands in clutch situations (as evidenced by his coast-to-coast drive that ousted the Bulls from the postseason in the spring).
Joining the likes of sharpshooter Danilo Gallinari, former DePaul standout Wilson Chandler and defensive-oriented Corey Brewer on the wing, along with the superb point-guard tandem of speedster Ty Lawson and crafty Andre Miller, the Nuggets' back court has plenty of options. And re-signed center JaVale McGee, rebounding monster Kenneth Faried and backup Timofey Mozgov make the Nuggets once again a scary potential opponent for one of the West's supposed contenders.
More transactions can certainly occur between now and the NBA's opening night, let alone the February trade deadline, but assuming the Howard deal is the last major trade of any significant impact, why not hazard a guess at how the playoffs could shake out?
In order, the Eastern Conference's postseason qualifiers should be the Heat, Celtics, Knicks, Sixers, Pacers, Nets, Bulls and in eighth, either the Bucks, Hawks or Wizards.
The Western Conference playoffs should feature the Thunder, Lakers, Clippers, Spurs, Mavericks, Nuggets, Grizzlies and in a battle for the final spot, either the Timberwolves, Warriors or Jazz.