The long-running Dwightmare of the Orlando Magic has reportedly become a dream come true for the Los Angeles Lakers.
According to a report from ESPN, the Lakers have acquired the All-Star center from the Magic as part of a four-team deal also involving the Philadelphia 76ers and the Denver Nuggets.
If the report is true and the deal is approved by the NBA, then expect to see a very happy Kobe Bryant when USA Basketball hits the floor against Argentina on Friday at the London Olympics.
Per the ESPN report, the Lakers are sending Andrew Bynum to the Philadelphia 76ers. Denver will ship Arron Afflalo and Al Harrington to Orlando and acquire Andre Iguodala from the Sixers, who are also getting Jason Richardson.
ESPN's Marc Stein tweeted that the deal will be completed on Friday.
Earlier on Thursday, Adrian Wojnorowski of Yahoo! Sports reported that this blockbuster was in the works. Ric Bucher of ESPN initially downplayed the likelihood of the deal outlined by Wojnorowski (h/t The Big Lead) coming to fruition but shortly thereafter his colleagues were reporting that the deal was done.
Pau Gasol is reportedly not included in the deal. So, you may see a relieved Spaniard in the semifinal matchup that takes place before the USA-Argentina tilt.
The Lakers already added two-time MVP Steve Nash earlier in the offseason. Once the latest Lakers' trade goes through, assuming commissioner David Stern doesn't come up with any basketball reasons why it shouldn't, the Lakers will have a starting lineup including Kobe, Nash, Gasol, World Peace and Howard..
Not bad.
The Lakers were rumored to be in Howard trade talks last month. The main concern then wasn't whether Howard would sign an extension. Instead it was whether Bynum would re-sign with another team.
J.A. Adande of ESPN tweeted late Thursday night that Bynum would re-sign with Philadelphia. Marc Stein tweeted that Howard would "definitely" not sign an extension with the Lakers.
In other words, this blockbuster Dwight Howard trade could have sequel next summer.
More from AP:
The Los Angeles Lakers have a deal in place to acquire Dwight Howard from Orlando in a four-team, eight-player trade also involving Denver and Philadelphia, and the NBA has scheduled a conference call Friday with the four general managers to finish the deal, according to multiple reports.
Citing unidentified sources, ESPN first reported the deal was in place. The Los Angeles Times, citing unidentified NBA executives, later confirmed the trade. The Denver Post confirmed the Nuggets' end of the deal, and Yahoo! Sports also confirmed the trade, both citing unidentified sources.
Philadelphia would get Andrew Bynum from Los Angeles and Jason Rchardson from Orlando, while Denver would get Andre Iguodala from the 76ers.
Orlando would receive Arron Afflalo and Al Harrington from Denver, Nikola Vucevic and Moe Harkless from Philadelphia, and lottery protected first-round picks from each of the three teams.