NBA Trade Scenarios: 5 Possible Trades for Dwight Howard That Could Happen

If Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has his mind set on packing his bags next offseason, it would be in the Magic’s best interest to trade the big man as soon as possible.

The price paid by not moving your superstar prior to free agency is astronomical compared with the price paid by letting him go midseason.

If Howard and the Magic have a serious sit-down conversation about moving on, here are five possible trades that could land Dwight Howard from each respective team.

5. Dwight Howard for Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert and A.J. Price

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PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 13: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic slam dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on March 13, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by dow

Despite the obvious downfalls of trading within your conference, a deal between Orlando and the Indianapolis Pacers could become reality with Howard and Danny Granger leading the way.

Granger would be the three-point threat that the Magic have been searching for and Hibbert would be a nice developmental project for the magic as he starts to realize his potential as a big man.

With A.J. Price, Tyler Hansbrough or a draft pick thrown into the mix, this trade seems like it could be ironed fairly easily for both sides.

4. Dwight Howard for Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 05: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic in action against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA game at Oracle Arena on December 5, 2009 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by dow

A deal like this would usher a new youth movement into Orlando and it’s up to Magic execs if they want to go in this direction.

Trading Howard for Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins would create benefits for both teams.

The Magic would receive a young ball handler that has a knack for creating his own shots and also a young, sneaky shot-blocker and rebounder that could be Orlando’s center for years to come.

We all know what Golden State would be receiving and by adding Howard to the mix, it would give the opportunity for the Warriors’ young players like Stephen Curry a chance to develop.

Adding Howard, Curry would be able to get the ball to the low post so he can move around and find an open shot.

Howard would also team up former Knick David Lee and create an offensive-defensive combo at the center position unmatched by any other ball club.

Lee’s offensive skills matched up with Howard’s defense would give Golden State an undisputed edge when going against the better big men during the season.

Look for both teams to be in talks this summer.

3. Dwight Howard for Amaré Stoudemire

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 14: Dwight Howard #12 of the Eastern Conference goes up for a dunk against Tim Duncan #21, Amar'e Stoudemire #1 and Steve Nash #13 of the Western Conference during the second half of the NBA All-Star Game, part of 2010 NBA All-St

And the question still remains: Would you rather have Amaré Stoudemire’s offensive game or Dwight Howard’s lockdown defense?

A pretty tough question to answer if you ask me, but I would have to give the edge to Howard and his career 13 rebounds per game average.

Despite this trade most likely being fairly unpopular with the New York Knicks’ fan base, a straight up Dwight Howard for Amaré Stoudemire is very possible. 

While Amaré shows that he can take over the game on the offensive side, averaging over 25 points per game this season, I put more stock in a defensive driven player like D12.

Howard’s defense is a difference maker for the Magic by guarding the rim and getting a timely blocked shot, while his rebounding skills are far superior to Stoudemire’s.

Just the thought of Howard teaming with Carmelo Anthony in New York should give NY fan some optimistic thoughts.

2. Dwight Howard for Andrew Bynum and Devin Ebanks

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ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 13: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic drives against Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at Amway Arena on February 13, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees tha

Dwight Howard to L.A. would continue the Lakers' tradition of stealing the best center in the league from the Magic.

We saw it with Shaq and now we have a chance to witness something very similar if a Howard for Andrew Bynum and Devin Ebanks trade can get pounded out.

Howard, who will turn 26 next season, has won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year two years in a row now and to say his game is far superior than Bynum’s is up for debate.

While being a great team defender by taking pressure off his teammates, Howard’s man-to-man defensive prowess is lacking, but he is a true force when denying opponents at the rim.

Bynum has been the Lakers project for some years now and it’s up to GM Mitch Kupchak to determine the fate of their star center.

Bynum is fundamentally better than Howard playing man-to-man, but the latter seems to get all the publicity for his D.

While Bynum has great footwork in the paint and can keep his man close, the Lakers and Magic could have some serious trade talks this summer as this trade rumor begins to heat up. 

1. Dwight Howard for Brook Lopez, Travis Outlaw and Anthony Morrow

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ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 17: NBA All-Star Dwight Howard (center) shows off his game face at an Orlando community center where he was on hand to capture kids' game faces for the next adidas commercial on March 17, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. Fans can visit www.

The thought of the New Jersey Nets acquiring Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic is tough to think about without Deron William’s name thrown in there.

While it’s difficult to fathom, it’s not entirely out of the question.

As breakout center Brook Lopez continues to make a name for himself in the league, the best option the Nets have to team Howard up with Williams is be to make Lopez the centerpiece of a deal.

The Magic would be losing arguably the best playing in the game, but they would be receiving another young big man full of untapped potential.

Add into the deal young players like Travis Outlaw and Anthony Morrow plus a draft pick and we could certainly see this proposal formulate into an NBA trade.