New Laker?

Yeah, I don't see how anyone could say the Lakers didn't come out best in this trade.  I thought the Nuggets gave up a lot to get Iguodala.

This has the potential to be a terrific starting 5, even if i think Gasol will come out of the bench.  The only concern i would have is injuries as Kobe and Nash are up there in age.

The other big if will be DH, not his talen but his ego and the turmoil that he causes.  He is going to Kobe's team, he won't be the center of attention and he wont be allowed to do the same crap he did in Orlando, lets see how he takes that....

At this point it seems like a Lakers vs Heat final....should be fun ,can't wait

Should be fun to watch, this is true. 

I expect one of 1) great basketball, 2) drama (unless howard signs an extension as part of the trade, expect drama in the 2nd half of the season as he negotiates with his own team while trying to get home court, and MWP is always good at disappearing / getting suspended / doing something stupid), 3) both. 

Although I'm not sure calling a Lakers-Heat final is all that real. OKC got better, signing Fish, some size with their first round pick (Lakers didn't have one), and have the their big 3 with one more year under their belts.  And I'm not sure which Laker is going to guard Durant, not sure there's an answer there. 

Your BT avatar - is this a man crush thing going on???  Is 2Goggs getting prison shower serviced???

Don't ask don't tell.

Nope, even healthy, he plays matador defense. 

Definately a good trade for the Lakers.

That being said.  They gave up 2 first round picks in 2013 and 2015, and 2 second round picks in 2013 and 2014 just to get Nash.  Now they are also giving up a 2017 first round pick and a 2015 second round pick to get Howard.  They also didn't have a first round pick in 2012.

Bryant is under contract till the end of 2014, and claims he will retire.  Gasol is also signed until 2014, and will likely be into the decline of his career.  Nash is signed till 2015, but who knows if he will even play that long as he'll be over 40.

So what does the future hold for the Lakers?  Will Howard sign a long term max deal extension with LA knowing that the last 3 years could be on his own.  The Lakers only have a 2014 first round pick (likely not to be a lottery), 2 picks in 2016, and a second round pick in 2017.  That's only 4 picks in 5 years (2013-2017) to replenish a roster that will lose Nash, Bryant, and Gasol...and maybe Howard if he doesn't resign.

Granted, that would allow them to clear huge cap space, and maybe that allows them to sign another one of the young stars coming into free agency later down the road...Griffin, Westbrook, Durant, Rose, etc.

ETA: If I'm Howard, I'm not signing an extension.  Play the season out and see if it gets you a ring.  Then evaluate what you want to do.  Lakers don't look like a good long term solution for him considering he's in the prime of his career.  Or maybe he signs a max extension, wins a ring or two, then demands another trade once Kobe retires?  Why not?

I think Howard sees an opportunity to win a championship or maybe two on Kobe's Lakers, so he's willing to wait a couple of years to be "the man."  If he sticks around it will probably be a couple of down years while they rebuild a team around him.

Still a better scenario than being stuck in Orlando.

As for Drew, I was never a big fan anyway so not disappointed he's gone.  Seemed like he usually spent half the season in a suit, and when he was healthy he was complicated off the court and spotty on it, not the dominating big man they needed.  I think they were better with Pau at center, and should be awesome with Dwight.