![]() With Howard’s existing contract only lasting one more year, the Lakers should make a big push to extend him in the near future. In order to obtain Howard, the Lakers had to give up a highly promising young big man in Andrew Bynum. Also returning are veteran contributors Metta World Peace, Matt Barnes and Jordan Hill. Along with picking up role players in Antawn Jamison, Chris Duhon and Jodie Meeks, Bryant and Gasol will be getting plenty of help. The Lakers were no wallflower this offseason-they orchestrated a blockbuster four-team trade for star center Dwight Howard along with a prior side deal for savvy point guard Steve Nash. Returning big man Pau Gasol averaged a double-double (17.4 points and 10.4 rebounds per game) last year and continues to produce at a high level. Veteran guard Kobe Bryant proved that he still has plenty of gas in his tank, scoring 27.9 points per game-his best average since 2007-2008-and making his 13th consecutive NBA All-Star appearance. ![]() ![]() After besting the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Quarterfinals, the Lakers dropped their semifinal series to the eventual Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder. LOS ANGELES LAKERS 2011-12 Season record: 41-25, 1st in division, 3rd in Western Conference, lost Western Conference semifinals to Oklahoma City Thunder (4-1) Players Added Dwight Howard (from Magic), Steve Nash (from Suns), Antawn Jamison (from Cavs), Jodie Meeks (from Sixers), Chris Duhon (from Magic), Earl Clark (from Magic), Darius Johnson-Odom (via Draft), Robert Sacre (via Draft), Reeves Nelson, Greg Somogyiv Players Lost Ramon Sessions (to Bobcats), Andrew Bynum (to Sixers), Christian Eyenga (to Magic), Josh McRoberts (to Magic) 2012-13 Outlook In their first season without head coach Phil Jackson since 2005, the Lakers squeaked past the Clippers by one game for the 2011-2012 Pacific Division title and the third-seeded playoff spot in the West. Part II breaks down the Pacific Division, headlined by the new-look Los Angeles Lakers and their big-move offseason acquiring Steve Nash and Dwight Howard. ![]() Alex ConoverWeb Editorial Associate Email Editor’s Note: will break down each of the NBA’s six divisions leading into training camp, highlighting the moves each team made and what to watch for during the 2012-13 campaign. ![]()
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