NBA Rumors: Playing Fact or Fiction with Latest Dwight Howard Buzz

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

With the NBA season only a couple days old, as expected, the Dwight Howard saga has dominated the rumor mill.

There are more Howard rumors out there then one can count, but sorting through all of the rumors is the difficult part.

While Howard has requested a trade to Brooklyn, CBS Sports Ken Berger says the Magic are shopping him to numerous teams.

Orlando GM Rob Hennigan also trying to engage the Hawks, Rockets, Lakers and possibly Mavs in Howard talks. Full-court press.

— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) July 3, 2012

With Howard changing his mind about his future as often as the sun comes up, it makes it hard to figure out what's true and what isn't.

With that being said, I will attempt to play fact or fiction with all of the Howard rumors on the table.

Houston Rockets

Elsa/Getty Images

The Rockets have been hot after Howard for a couple weeks now and have some good trade assets that include point guard Kyle Lowry and the three talented rookies they just drafted (Jeremy Lamb, Royce White and Terrence Jones).

However, without a guarantee that Howard signs an extension and David Aldridge reporting there is no chance of that happening, the Rockets would be nuts to part with big parts of their future for a rental.

The Rockets have been aggressive to this point in their pursuit of Howard and still have a fighting chance.

Verdict: Fact

Chicago Bulls

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The Bulls get thrown into the Howard mix every so often to make you think that there's a chance, and back when the Howard saga began, the Magic liked what the Bulls had to offer.

But there's nothing here for the two teams to discuss. Howard only wants to go to one team and it's not Chicago.

Verdict: Fiction

Los Angeles Lakers

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Jim Buss loves Andrew Bynum and the only way a Howard deal ever gets off the ground is if Bynum is the centerpiece of a big offer.

I doubt the Lakers will part with Bynum and will want to trade Pau Gasol instead.

Plus there's the whole process of having to sell Howard on signing with the Lakers. Howard doesn't want to be in Kobe Bryant's shadow and there's little chance he changes his mind.

Verdict: Fiction

Brooklyn Nets

Chris Chambers/Getty Images

It has been no secret that Brooklyn is Howard's preferred landing spot and the Nets remain the favorite for his services.

ESPN's Chris Broussard reports that Howard could get his wish and be dealt to Brooklyn after all.

Broussard reports via Twitter that the two sides are discussing a deal that would send Howard to Brooklyn in exchange for Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries and MarShon Brooks.

Sources: The Nets & Magic are discussing a trade that would send Dwight Howard to Brooklyn for Briik Lopez, Kris Humphies, Marshon Brooks...

— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 3, 2012

Lopez and Humphries would be dealt via sign-and-trade deals and Broussard reportsthat in the proposed deal, the Magic would get the Nets first round picks in 2013, 2015 and 2017.

Yahoo! Sports Adrain Wojnarowski chimes in via Twitter that in order for a Magic-Nets deal to get done, a third team would have to jump in and take on Kris Humphries via a sign-and-trade deal.

For Nets-Magic to progress on a Dwight Howard deal, a 3rd team needed to take Kris Humphries in a sign-and-trade, league source tells Y!

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 3, 2012

There may be a few obstacles and a few hoops to jump through, but ultimately if Howard keeps whining and complaining enough, he will get his way in the end.

Verdict: Fact

Golden State Warriors

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Warriors have been one of the teams that would take on Howard without a guarantee, but it makes no sense now that they have a solid starting five and are legitimate playoff contenders.

The Golden State talk has died down as of late.

No chance here.

Verdict: Fiction

Dallas Mavericks

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

If a trade to Brooklyn is out of the question, Dallas seems to be Howard's next logical choice as they were on his original list of teams to begin with.

But while the Mavs have the cap room to acquire him, what they don't have are enough valuable trade assets.

But if the Mavs can lure Deron Williams to Dallas, they may have a small chance.

I can't see a trade getting done here.

Verdict: Fiction

Atlanta Hawks

Elsa/Getty Images

If you are looking for a sleeper team in the Howard saga, look no further than the Atlanta Hawks.

New general manager Danny Ferry cleared $90 million in cap space in a day and could entice Howard to Atlanta.

ESPN's John Hollinger notes that Howard is from Atlanta and friends with Josh Smith and that the Hawks could use Al Horford as a trade chip.

This is a sleeper, but the Hawks aren't out of the running.

Verdict: Fact