Dwight Howard: Orlando, NJ Nets and 10 Most Attractive Places for Him to Play

Dwight Howard can opt out of his contract with the Orlando Magic after next season, and as you might imagine, the shuffling has already begun among teams trying to position themselves to land the NBA's best center.

But Howard—possibly just to save face, but maybe not—told the Orlando Sentinel yesterday, "Orlando's the most attractive place for me right now."

Right now, huh?

Well, "right now" isn't a little more than a year from now, and we all know that not all attractions last.

So Magic fans might want to start worrying, because Howard might be putting on a different jersey during the 2012-13.

Here are the 10 "most attractive" places for him to play. 

10. Indiana Pacers

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 28: Danny Granger #33 of the Indiana Pacers against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on October 28, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

A team that's shown some true promise at times this season, the Pacers are a Dwight Howard away from making some serious noise in the East.

Indiana has gotten decent production out of Roy Hibbert this season, but the team's two best players have been Darren Collison and Danny Granger.

Though neither of those players is a superstar, Collison looks to have a bright future ahead and Granger is one of the top six or seven small forwards in the NBA.

Adding D-12 to the mix would give Indiana a nice, young trio, with Collison, Granger and Howard, and could finally bring some excitement back to the Pacers organization.

9. Boston Celtics

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ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 10: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic smiles during the game against the New Orleans Hornets at Amway Arena on October 10, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and

The Boston Celtics are old, and their time as an elite NBA team is nearing an end.

Both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen may not be back in Boston for the 2012-13 season, and guys like Jermaine O'Neal and Shaquille O'Neal likely won't be either.

But Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo will still be wearing Celtic green that season, and Howard could definitely make worse decisions than deciding to sign with Boston.

Sure, Pierce would be at the tail end of his career, but Rondo's locked in for the foreseeable future. And a Rondo/Howard pairing in Boston could lure plenty of other talented players—or veterans chasing a title—to Beantown.

8. Golden State Warriors

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: Stephen Curry #30 and Monta Ellis #8 of the Golden State Warriors look on near the end of the game against the Houston Rockets during an NBA game at Oracle Arena on December 3, 2009 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User ex

Does Dwight Howard fit with the Warriors? Probably not, given the team's lack of defense.

But that's my point exactly.

Bringing Howard to Golden State would give the Warriors what they need the most (a defensive presence), allow them to slide David Lee over to his more natural position at power forward, and, quite honestly, would make them an even more exciting team to watch.

Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis and Dwight Howard? Count me in.

7. New Jersey Nets

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 28: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic warms his hands on the line during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 28, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Magic 99-90. NOTE TO USER: User expr

The Miami Heat is the rare exception to the rule that the most important positions on the court are point guard and center.

But if D-12 made his way to New Jersey—or Brooklyn—and convinced Deron Williams to stay too, then the Nets would be in business, with the game's best center patrolling the paint and a top-three point guard controlling the tempo.

Of course, it would take more than just Howard and Williams to make the Nets a legit contender, but New Jersey—depending on the terms of the new CBA deal—would likely still have enough cap space to sign another borderline star or a couple of players who can still make key contributions.

And you also have to think that Mikhail Prokhorov would look to ship Brook Lopez out of town, which could bring a niece player (or two) and a draft pick back to the Nets. 

6. San Antonio Spurs

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SAN ANTONIO - APRIL 23: Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts with Tim Duncan #21 and Manu Ginobili #20 against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 23, 20

Who better to replace a legend than a legend-in-the-making?

With Tim Duncan's contract expiring after next season—the same year as Howard's—a D-12 signing in San Antonio might not be so far-fetched.

Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili will still be under contract with the Spurs, as will Richard Jefferson, DeJuan Blair and Tiago Splitter. And San Antonio still has nice pieces like Gary Neal and George Hill who could also still be with the team.

The Spurs starting lineup would look like this:

PG: Tony Parker

SG: Manu Ginobili

SF: Richard Jefferson

PF: DeJuan Blair

C: Dwight Howard

You're telling me teams would like to face that San Antonio team? Didn't think so. 

5. Orlando Magic

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ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 08: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic reacts to a foul during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Amway Arena on February 8, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by dow

Don't take it from me. Take it from Howard himself.

"They (the Magic) 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," he told the Orlando Sentinel.

Good point.

Not only has Howard developed a sense of comfort with the Magic, but he's got some solid pieces all around him.

And the only key Magic player who comes off the books next season is Jason Richardson.

4. Los Angeles Lakers

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 18: (L-R) Andrew Bynum #17, Kobe Bryant #24 and Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers stand on the court in the second quarter during the game against the Orlando Magic on January 18, 2010 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Cal

When Howard's contract with the Magic expires after the 2011-12 season, the current Lakers roster will still be largely intact.

Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, Derek Fisher, Ron Artest, Luke Walton and Steve Blake are all under contract through the 2012-13 season (and numerous contracts even run past that).

That leaves open the possibility of the Lakers trading Bynum to make way for Howard, who would be a huge upgrade over Bynum in the middle.

By acquiring Howard, Los Angeles would also have a mega-star in place for when Bryant retires.

3. New York Knicks

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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Carmelo Anthony #7 and Amar'e Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks talk during a game against the the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on February 27, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agr

I'll be honest and say I'm not even sure how this would work, but can you imagine if Howard somehow ended up in New York?

Much like in Miami, most of the Knicks roster would be filled with guys making the veteran's minimum or washed-up players who can barely hang on to their roster spots.

But that might not even matter.

A trio of Howard, Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire could work, because Howard's incredible defensive presence would provide a good compliment to the offensive prowess of Melo and Stoudemire.

Let's say the Knicks roll out this starting lineup:

PG: Veteran's minimum-making guy

SG; Landry Fields (if he can be re-signed) 

SF: Carmelo Anthony

PF: Amar'e Stoudemire

C: Dwight Howard

Damn, that starting five would be scary good.

2. Portland Trail Blazers

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 01: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic looks at a referee during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 1, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Magic defeated the Bulls 107-78. NOTE TO USER: User expressly a

It's gotta be damn near impossible for there to be enough money to go around for Howard to play in Portland.

But man, oh man, the Trail Blazers would be insane with Howard roaming the paint.

Here's a look at the team's potential starting five:

PG: Elliot Williams, Patty Mills or generic point guard A

SG: Brandon Roy

SF: Gerald Wallace

PF: LaMarcus Aldridge

C: Dwight Howard

Is there any doubt that Portland instantly becomes the West's best team in this scenario?

With Howard, the Blazers would be getting essentially what they thought they were getting with Greg Oden.

1. Los Angeles Clippers

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 28: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic reacts to the taunts of a fan as he sits on the bench during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 28, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ackn

This would be the day that the Clippers overtook the Lakers as the best team in Los Angeles.

Imagine Kobe Bryant nearing the end of his career, while the Clippers are just getting started as the best squad in the West with Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin and Dwight Howard lining up alongside each other to form an unstoppable super-team.

Alley-oops, dunks and highlight reel plays galore!

I don't care who else is on the Clippers roster, because I'm not sure how any of their opponents would ever get a rebound.

You see Howard's face in that picture? Yeah, that's him trying to figure out the same thing.