NBA Rumors: Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard to the New Jersey Nets?
With the trade deadline past and the New Jersey Nets acquiring Deron Williams from Utah, the Nets are already making a push to try and resign Williams.
That doesn't bode well for Nets center Brook Lopez. The move for Howard could signal Lopez's switch to the power forward position. With Howard in the fold, Lopez could very much become an expendable object. If the Magic try to trade Howard (which, if he is intent on leaving, they will very likely do), Lopez could be a part of that deal. Also, Lopez could see his stats diminish with Howard and Williams both likely being the biggest part of their game plan.
The Nets don't exactly have the trade pieces after trading away their biggest asset in Derrick Favors. The remaining players on the team would see a boost in stats with defenses trying to stop the threat of Williams and Howard.
The move for Howard wouldn't become a reality until he hits free agency following the 2011-12 NBA season. That's if Howard tests the free-agent waters and does not resign with the Magic.
Howard has already made his sentiments known about the Magic.
"Orlando's the most attractive place for me right now," Howard told The Orlando Sentinel in response to a question about whether New Jersey is a more attractive place to be now that they have Williams. "They have a sexy new arena, a beautiful franchise, nice banners around here and been in the top four in the Eastern Conference for the past four years. Yes, Orlando's the most attractive place right now."
Howard's free agency could be a monumental explosion in which numerous teams bid on the All-Star center.
Teams interested in his services could amount to the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and now the New Jersey Nets.
With Williams in the fold, it does make New Jersey more attractive. Not to mention they will have a stadium in Brooklyn when they move there.
If the Nets were able to pursue and sign Howard, it would make Williams all the more likely to stay. But that's a big if.
The move to New Jersey could most likely happen via a sign and trade. The Magic would not let their star center go for nothing. The Magic could pull a page out of Denver's playbook and have their own Carmelo Anthony saga next season if Howard is intent on leaving and tells the front office there is no way he will re-sign.
Otherwise, if the Magic decide not to participate in the 2012 NBA trade deadline, Howard could very much leave through free agency willingly. If Deron is still in New Jersey and a top contender doesn't appear interested, New Jersey could be the big front-runner.
Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov seems to be making good on his vow to bring the Nets a title soon. He's already got one piece of the puzzle in place to win that title. All he needs is a nice complementary piece. Enter Dwight Howard.
The Magic could take a huge hit if they lose Howard. In doing so, who becomes the next big player on the team? Gilbert Arenas? J.J. Redick? Hedo Turkoglu?
The team isn't built to survive without the big man. Without Howard, the Magic could struggle to hit .500. Arenas would have to become his old self and put up huge numbers along with Redick who will most likely start next season when the Magic let Jason Richardson go this offseason.
The Magic just got a new threat for their star center. That threat comes in the form of the New Jersey Nets.
