Looks like all the rumours can bite the dust as the Lakers have put an end to the trade reports by acquiring All-Star Centre Dwight Howard. The Orlando Magic franchise player moves to Los Angeles in a four-team trade alos involving Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers.

Philadelphia would get Andrew Bynum from Los Angeles and Jason Richardson from Orlando, while Denver would get Andre Iguodala from the 76ers. Orlando would receive Arron Afflalo and Al Harrington from Denver, Nikola Vucevic and Moe Harkless from Philadelphia, and lottery protected first-round picks from each of the three teams.

The blockbuster trade will be finalised later today, with the Lakers now certainly one of the favourites to win the 2012/13 Championship with Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash in the back-court and Spanish star Pau Gasol in the power forward position.