When the Los Angeles Lakers were looking to capitalize on the final years of Kobe Bryant playing at a peak level, they mortgaged the future to acquire Dwight Howard and two-time MVP Steve Nash in the summer of 2012.
On the surface, the Lakers figured to contend for a championship behind a retooled a roster that not only included Bryant but Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace as well. Howard figured to add to the franchise’s pantheon of big men.
Instead, the relationship went up in flames. Nash’s season was derailed by injury and Bryant ultimately saw his career thrown off course by a ruptured Achilles’ tendon.