At the time of the four-team blockbuster deal, the Lakers and Sixers came away looking like huge winners.
Los Angeles had swapped the league's second-best center in Bynum for its best in Howard, giving up Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga and a 2017 first-round pick for the privilege. Meanwhile, Philly parted with Andre Iguodala, Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless and a 2015 first-rounder for Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson, making a borderline playoff team an Eastern Conference contender.
That was back in the summer of 2012, when everything was cheery and both franchises only had eyes on future championships.
The Lakers knew even then that Howard would be feeling the effects of back surgery through the beginning of the season, and the Sixers knew Bynum was an injury risk. Yet both teams were only concerned with their respective center's ability when healthy, not when hurt.
What a long time ago that seems.
Howard has been bothered by his bad back in his time as a Laker, limiting the three-time Defensive Player of the Year at that end of the court. Even though he has still made an impact in the post, he has struggled to coexist with Pau Gasol on the court and clashed with Kobe Bryant off it.
Meanwhile, Bynum has succumbed to injuries in both knees and has yet to see the court in the 2012-13 season. ESPN reports that he hopes to play this season, but there is no timetable for his return. Bynum's contract also expires after the season, so there's a possibility that the Sixers won't get a single game out of their offseason prize.
Obviously, this trade hasn't worked out according to plan for either team. Even so, it was only a cut-and-dried mistake for the Sixers.
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Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
