NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Possible Deals That Could Bring Dwight Howard to New York

The 2011 NBA trading deadline is inching closer and closer, and the rumors are heating up.
 
The Magic’s All NBA center Dwight Howard is beginning to see the writing on the wall.
 
While the mega trade to land Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu and Gilbert Arenas has made them better—it doesn’t look as if they have enough to compete with the Celtics and Heat in the Eastern Conference.

A team holding title-or-bust aspirations, they are currently stuck with the fifth seed in the East.
 
Howard has already let it be known that he isn’t necessarily going to re-sign with the Magic when his contract is up at the end of next season.
 
Howard is a prime candidate to become the next Carmelo Anthony if action isn’t taken soon. People around the Magic organization are terrified of putting a big extension on the table for Howard...only for him to not sign it.
 
How has that worked out for both ‘Melo and the Nuggets?
 
Trading Howard now will maximize his value and allow Orlando to rebuild quicker than if he stays another season. The Magic's payroll has ballooned to over $100M and finding a way to shed payroll with expiring deals are a big need for Orlando.
 
The Knicks are one of a select few teams that are on Howard’s “wish list” along with the Lakers. Here’s a look at 10 trades that could land Howard in the Big Apple before this year’s trade deadline.

10. Knicks Trade Chandler, Gallinari, Fields and a Pick

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 14: Wilson Chandler #21 of the New York Knicks dribbles against the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden on January 14, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or usi

Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Landry Fields, and a 1st round pick is what the Nuggets are asking for ‘Melo.

The Knicks have been laughing at them and there is no way an increasingly desperate Nuggets team could yield that return. Everybody knows ‘Melo’s desire to play at Madison Square Garden and it’s killing Denver’s leverage.
 
Howard is more valuable than ‘Melo and the Knicks would be stupid not to entertain this offer.
 
In this scenario the New York front office would sweat out the deadline hoping ‘Melo isn’t traded—then they would be able to sign him without giving Denver a thing.
 
Howard, ‘Melo, and Amare to start next season? Yikes

9. Three Team Deal With Rockets

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 22: Kevin Martin #12 of the Houston Rockets reaches to control the ball in front of Eric Gordon #10 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 22, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ac

Each team post trade:
 
Rockets: Wilson Chandler, Quentin Richardson
Knicks: Dwight Howard
Magic: Kevin Martin, Knicks No. 1 pick in ’11, Eddy Curry expiring deal
 
The team with more desirable trade assets than any other in the league, the Rockets could really help out the Knicks.
 
Dumping the hefty contract of Kevin Martin is ideal for the Rockets. Combine the relief of Martin’s contract with the monster of a expiring deal with Yao Ming and the Rockets will have plenty of money to spend in free agency.
 
 The cost-cutting Magic could use Eddy Curry’s expiring deal ($11.2M) to offset the cost of Martin ($10.6M). Odds are the Magic would shed more payroll at the end of the season as well.
 
Wilson Chandler would go to the Rockets and provide another versatile defender that can take over some of the scoring load left vacant by Martin.

8. Felton, Gallinari and Pick for Howard

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 27: Raymond Felton #2 of the New York Knicks reacts during the game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on January 27, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and

Raymond Felton has played rejuvenated basketball since joining the Knicks. His 17 points and nine assists per game are very attractive to teams around the league, including the Magic.
 
Depending on if they still truly believe in Jameer Nelson, Felton would be a great landing spot for the Magic.
 
They also get the Italian sharpshooter and a first round draft pick.

7. Three Team Deal With Pacers

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 11: Mike Dunleavy #17 of the Indiana Pacers against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on December 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograp

Each team post trade:
 
Pacers: Eddy Curry’s expiring contract and Anthony Randolph
Knicks: Dwight Howard
Magic: Danilo Gallinari, Mike Dunleavy, Landry Fields, Jeff Foster
 
The Pacers franchise is in flux and they truly find themselves in the proverbial “no man’s land” in the NBA. They are competing for the No. 8 seed in a weak bottom half of the Eastern Conference—but there is little doubt they would be swept away in the first round.
 
They can swap some expiring contracts while picking up an intriguing cheap piece in Randolph.
 
The Magic may lose Howard, but they get two expiring contracts and two rotation players in Gallinari and Fields.

6. Chandler, Curry’s Expiring Contract and No. 1 Pick

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 04: Eddy Curry of the New York Knicks sits on the bench and watches his teammates take on the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on November 4, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by dow

It’s no secret, the Magic are strapped for cash after picking up the fat contracts of Turkoglu, Richardson and Arenas.
 
The killer is Arenas, who is still owed almost $60M on his contract.
 
If money were the main priority in Orlando…than this would help them out a lot.

Chances of a championship this season would go out the window, but the long-term well being will be kept intact.

5. Three Team Deal With Pistons

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MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 01: Richard Hamilton #32 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles around LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat during a game at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees th

Each team post trade:
 
Pistons: Chris Duhon, Anthony Randolph,
Knicks: Dwight Howard, Richard Hamilton
Magic: Laundry Fields, Danillo Gallinari, Eddy Curry’s expiring contract
 
This blockbuster has the Knicks giving up four players…but who cares they get Howard and Rip!
 
The Magic get cap relief and keep the ability to stay competitive in the East as a sharp shooting explosive offense.

The Pistons have badly mishandled the Richard Hamilton situation and need to trade him. In return they get a solid and relatively inexpensive PG in Duhon and a potential break-out player in Randolph.

4. Gallinari, Chandler and Curry’s Expiring Deal

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 02: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket against Tyson Chandler #6 of the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden on February 2, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agr

This scenario is another way to keep the Magic competitive while still getting an expiring deal.
 
Gallinari would thrive in the Magic’s system and Chandler could essentially be the replacement for Michael Pietrus that they are currently missing.

Money makes the world go 'round and if the Magic know they will lose Howard ala LeBron—then this is a proactive solution.

3. Three Team Deal With the Mavs

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DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 15: Forward Caron Butler #4 of the Dallas Mavericks makes a slam dunk against Dante Cunningham #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers at American Airlines Center on December 15, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknow

Each team post trade:
 
Mavs: Danilo Gallinari, Malik Allen
Knicks: Dwight Howard
Magic: Caron Butler, Eddy Curry, Landry Fields
 
Mark Cuban is trying to swoop in and land ‘Melo from the Knicks. But he may be able to help New York secure Howard.
 
Giving up the expiring deal of Butler would be a huge help for the Knicks. If Orlando is able to shed Butler and Curry’s contracts…they would get rid of almost $23M in payroll. They also get a young a cheap guard in Landry Field.
 
Although this deal would signify the Magic throwing in the towel on this season.
 
The Mavs score another foreign-born sharp shooter to play with Dirk for a 2011 title push.

2. Currys Expiring Deal, Fields, Walker, Chandler and Pick

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 06: Landry Fields #6 of the New York Knicks drives past Jodie Meeks #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on February 6, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloa

Don't you just love that Eddy Curry trade talks are all about his expiring contract and never about him doing a thing on the floor?

This is another deal where the Magic would receive a poo-poo platter of Knick players.

But it's a great combination of shedding payroll and reloading. Chandler and Fields are worthy of key minutes right away and Bill Walker is an intriguing 23-year old project that has the potential to flourish if given the chance. They also get the Knicks No. 1 in 2011 and get to pick their own guy.

The value in this deal is the best the Knicks could do straight-up outside of...

1. A'mare for Howard Straight Up

Woah!
 
What?
 
It sounds crazy but why wouldn’t the Magic take four guaranteed years of A'mare over one more non-guaranteed season with Dwight?
 
The Knicks would then be free to land ‘Melo and Chris Paul and the best big three would reside in New York.
 
The Magic still have a franchise big man and there is no need to go through a rebuilding process in Orlando.

There is little chance of this happening, but that's just because NBA G.M's never think outside of the box.This is the biggest compromise and the deal that makes the most sense for both sides.