With Chris Paul and Dwight Howard seemingly unhappy with their current surroundings, rumors (at least on ESPN) were flying Monday night about the Lakers trying to build a super team with those two and Kobe Bryant. If successful, it would suggest the lockout was a waste of time for everyone.

ESPN suggested that the Lakers are offering everyone on their roster but Bryant for Paul and Howard.

Chris Broussard speculated that the Lakers could send Pau Gasol to New Orleans for Paul and Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom to Orlando for Howard and Hedo Turkoglu. Presumably, draft picks and other players would also have to be involved in such a deal.

But Mike Bresnahan, the Los Angeles Times beat writer, reports that the Lakers have had only exploratory talks with the Hornets on Paul and none at all with the Magic on Howard.

• Sources -- Los Angeles Lakers want both Dwight Howard and Chris Paul - Chris Broussard - ESPN
• Hornets, Lakers discussing Chris Paul-for-Andrew Bynum blockbuster swap - Sam Amick - Sports Illustrated
  
• Lakers open with a three-peat, but not one they'll relish - Mike Bresnahan - Los Angeles Times