After exercising the contract option of $16.1 million for All-Star center Andrew Bynum, the Los Angeles Lakers has committed to the up-and-comer for at least one more year. Even though it appears that the Lakers are content with their future face of the franchise, there may be more going on behind the scenes with the front office potentially working on a blockbuster trade over the summer.

Over the last year or so, trade rumors have circulated around the Lakers franchise and Bynum has generally been in the center of the trade talk. Two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol was involved in a lot of rumors throughout the 2011-12 NBA season and may very well be on his way out of Los Angeles, but Bynum might be the major player in a deal that brings a superstar like Dwight Howard to the City of Angels.

Before the NBA trade deadline on March 15, the consensus was that Howard would be traded to the New Jersey Nets. Even though Howard made it clear that he wanted to go to the Nets, the Orlando Magic were liking the package they’re getting in return for the perennial All-Star center.

Instead, the Magic’s front office wanted to make a deal with the Lakers. The Lakers were prepared to send Bynum and different pieces to Orlando in exchange for arguably the league’s best big man.

Unfortunately, the deal fell through with Howard wanting deciding to waive his opt-out clause and stay in Orlando for at least one more season.

Now that Howard has supposedly expressed interest to leave the Magic via trade once again, the talks involving Bynum and the Lakers have started to heat up. With the Lakers not extending Bynum long-term and one year left on Howard’s deal with the Magic, Orlando and Los Angeles might make a deal before next season by exchanging the centers.

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