NBA Trade Rumors: How Dwight Howard Will End Up on the Brooklyn Nets

As the Dwight Howard saga continues to unfold, it seems as if Howard has his sights on only one team.

That team is the new-look Brooklyn Nets and Howard is demanding a trade, according to ESPN. Obviously, the Nets would love to add him, but it may not be realistic.

Howard is owed $19.5 million next season and the Nets simply don’t have the contracts to match Orlando. According to hoopshype.com, Brooklyn only has $17.7 million on the books right now.

The Nets however do have two players, in Gerald Wallace and Jordan Farmar, who have player-options that could impact the potential trade.

Brooklyn could get this deal done, although it puts them in an interesting predicament.

One way to proceed would be to attempt to acquire Howard via a three or four-team trade. The Nets have been in trade discussions with other teams, yet those could potentially end the Howard deal.

Brooklyn is already reportedly attempting to pursue Joe Johnson, who is owed $19.7 million next year.

Basically, if the Nets do acquire Johnson, they can forget about also picking up Howard because they will be left without any tradable assets.

Furthermore, they wouldn’t have enough cap room to pick up Howard. They should stay away from Johnson, as his contract alone should make him undesirable.

The Nets would be wise to make a push for Howard with a trade centered around Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace, cash considerations and future draft picks.

That is logically the only way they will be able to absorb Howard’s contract while maintaining a decent nucleus. With Howard on the roster, Deron Williams will be enticed to remain in Brooklyn and they can fill the roster with inexpensive role players, similar to the Miami Heat’s meteoric rise.

Howard could have avoided this entire process had he opted out of his contract this season. In any case, Howard is demanding a trade to the Nets again, and Brooklyn should finally make this deal happen.

If they can parlay the Magic into splitting ways with Howard, the Nets could be forming a playoff contender. The Nets can make this trade happen, but it is ultimately up to Orlando’s decision makers if they want to trade their lone All-Star for a ragtag group of players.

The Nets will certainly make their push for him, and with Howard and Williams both in Brooklyn jerseys, the future could be bright for this reborn franchise.