NBA Rumors: Potential Dwight Howard Trade a No-Brainer for Knicks

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has listed the New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers as preferred destinations, but a recent report has the New York Knicks eying him.

And if the rumor has merit, it's a no-brainer for the Knicks.

According to Stephen A. Smith of ESPN, a source claims the Magic are dangling Howard for Tyson Chandler and Amar'e Stoudemire.

Said Smith on ESPN Radio on Sunday:

"

The Orlando Magic, I will preface my statement by telling you that they have categorically denied this, but my sources tell me that they have inquired about Tyson Chandler and Amar'e Stoudemire going to Orlando for Dwight Howard. Let me confess to you that I'm torn. From a basketball standpoint, it would seem you do that trade in a heartbeat. You don't teach seven-feet and you don't teach the dominate and the skills that Dwight Howard has. But I like Tyson Chandler. I like the fact that he rebounds and defends.

"

While this is just one report, it makes sense for a number of reasons. For one, you'd have to think the Knicks would jump at this trade, especially given the recent discord with Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony.

Wrote Marc Berman of The New York Post: "According to a source familiar with the situation, Anthony has been too obsessed with his points and Stoudemire is too concerned with Anthony taking over the team. There's also too much finger-pointing, according to the source."

The Knicks, despite having plenty of talent, simply aren't getting it done, starting off an astonishing 6-10. This is despite landing an interior presence in Chandler this offseason that had many calling them a dangerous playoff team.

This also makes sense for the Magic. By now it's become clear they have an outside shot of retaining Howard and this deal would give them an interior presence plus a superstar. That's quite the package for a player you'd likely be losing for nothing if he hit free agency.

It would be a tough deal for the Knicks in the sense that Anthony and Stoudemire were supposed to propel them to glory. With the addition of Chandler, they had extremely high hopes coming into this season.

But it simply hasn't panned out, and in Howard you essentially have Stoudemire and Chandler wrapped into one player. If the offer is on the table, the Knicks need to jump on it. It could end up saving their season.