Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: Top 10 "Big Three" Pairings Waiting for Superman
Dwight Howard is not going to win a championship in Orlando for a long time.
His supporting cast is not the best, as demonstrated by their first-round exit from the playoffs this year. Orlando has, as put by Steve Kerr, followed Cleveland's blueprint.
Other teams though have great sidekicks just waiting for their Superman.
Here are 10 "Big Three" options that would feature Dwight Howard.
10. Atlanta: Joe Johnson, Al Horford
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If you can't beat them, join them, right?
By joining the Hawks, Howard would make them a very formidable contender in the Eastern Conference. Howard and Horford would form an AWESOME tandem down low, while Joe Johnson could create shots for himself and others on the perimeter. They would still have Jamal Crawford and role-players Kirk Hinrich and Marvin Williams to complement them.
What keeps this one from being higher is the unlikelihood of this actually happening. Orlando will be reluctant to send Howard to a division rival, and Atlanta wouldn't have a great trade package that could still afford them a good supporting cast.
Josh Smith, Jeff Teague, Magnum Rolle and a draft pick isn't a bad offer, but Orlando could find ones just as good outside their division.
9. L.A. Clippers: Blake Griffin, Eric Gordon
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Can you imagine Blake Griffin and Dwight Howard in the same frontcourt?
To say there would be a lot of dunks would be an understatement larger than Howard's biceps.
Underrated potential future All-Star Eric Gordon would round out the Big Three, while Mo Williams could run the point.
The Clippers would become more popular than the other L.A. team for the first time, and Howard would be an even bigger star.
L.A. has some cap space they can leverage in a trade this summer. A package could include Kaman (an expiring contract), Bledsoe, Aminu, a draft pick and a sign-and-trade with young center DeAndre Jordan, while the Clippers could take back the bad contract of Gilbert Arenas or Hedo Turkoglu, along with Howard.
Donald Sterling and bad luck always seem to throw a damper on the Clippers though.
8. Houston Rockets: Luis Scola, Kevin Martin
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Ever since the McGrady-Yao dynasty thing didn't work out, the Rockets have not been able to find their next star. They have done a good job of adding good pieces, but not a legitimate No. 1 guy.
Can they finally do this?
They have one of the better trade chests in the league, and together with their cap room this summer, Houston could make a good offer for Howard.
Such an offer could include Jordan Hill, Terrence Williams, Courtney Lee, Patrick Patterson, Hasheem Thabeet and Goran Dragic, plus three of the many first-round picks Houston possesses and a trade exception for Howard, Hedo Turkoglu, Chris Duhon and Quentin Richardson.
Kevin Martin could score on the perimeter and get to the line while Howard dominates inside. Meanwhile, Scola could do the dirty work and hit mid-range jumpers to put up 14-15 a game.
Houston would still have a solid supporting cast, led by the improved Kyle Lowry. Maybe they will even be able to re-sign a certain 7'6" big man...
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7. Charlotte Bobcats: Chris Paul, Stephen Jackson/Tyrus Thomas
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Could two of the NBA's biggest stars join the organization led by the NBA's biggest star ever?
It still seems a little far-fetched at this point, but it could happen. Paul has expressed some interest in playing in Charlotte, and it only seems natural he wouldn't want to go there by himself.
The 'Cats could have a lot of cap space in 2012, although they may need to get rid of one more contract to have enough to pull both Howard and Paul.
They may use Thomas in a sign-and-trade or trade Jackson to clear space. If not, pairing those two with All-Stars Howard and Paul, plus some younger players and veterans that would likely follow, would be a recipe for success for this young franchise.
Michael Jordan has pulled off some improbable feats on the court, maybe he can off it as well.
6. Portland Trail Blazers: LaMarcus Aldridge, Gerald Wallace
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Portland has had a talented team for years, but injuries have kept them from putting it all together.
Howard would surely have a strong supporting cast here. Non-All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge would be a great complement to him inside. Those two together with Gerald Wallace would make a VERY tough defensive frontline. Portland wouldn't be too shabby on offense either, with Wesley Matthews and Brandon Roy also providing some nice help.
A potential trade offer could include Marcus Camby and Andre Miller,—good players on expiring contracts—plus potential-laden Nicolas Batum, Rudy Fernandez, Elliot Williams and draft picks. A sign-and-trade with Greg Oden is also possible. Jameer Nelson and Chris Duhon could come over with Dwight.
Portland may not be Howard's first choice destination, but he could be won over when he got there though.
5. New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire
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You have to include the Knicks when talking about a potential Big Three.
Those three would make a very intimidating frontline on offense, and now at least one of them would be able to play defense.
If the Knicks could find a couple decent guards to play with them, those three would put the Knicks with—or maybe past—the Heat.
Unfortunately, the chances of this actually happening seem pretty slim. If the Magic trade Howard, they will get WAY better offers than what the Knicks could give. They also won't have enough room for a max contract, and that is without even considering the other 10 guys on the team.
4. Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer
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There have been some rumors of a trade involving Joakim Noah that would pair the top center with arguably the top point guard.
I don't think Chicago will push to make a big move after their success this year though. I think D-Rose and Howard both want to be the guy, and they might have a difficult time playing together. Rose never really jumped on the bandwagon of recruiting superstars to play with him, and the Bulls would also have to ship one or two more guys out with Noah.
Still with those two on the same team, plus Boozer joining Howard to form a HUGE one-two big man punch, not to mention Luol Deng as well, it would be scary for the rest of the league.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook/Serge Ibaka
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The Thunder don't typically make big trades, but this one could put them over the top.
Imagine the top perimeter scorer in the NBA, a top-five point guard in Westbrook and the most dominant inside player—that would be near impossible to stop.
They might even be able to retain Sege Ibaka, another very talented young player. The perimeter players wouldn't even really have to play defense with those two guarding the basket.
The Thunder have plenty of trade assets at their disposal, as well as some cap room they could use. They could trade James Harden, Cole Aldrich, Kendrick Perkins (who would probably be sent to a third team for more young players), Eric Maynor, Thabo Sefolosha and a couple draft picks for Howard, Turkoglu and Duhon.
That would still leave OKC with not only their Big Four, but also Daequen Cook hitting three's on the wing and a deep bench with Nick Collison, Nazr Mohammed (if re-signed), Duhon and Turkoglu. The Thunder could also easily sign one more veteran player.
And of course, Howard would be united with dunk contest buddy Nate Robinson.
The reasons why this isn't higher is because OKC is a small-market, and Howard wouldn't necessarily be "the guy." That may be hard for his personality to swallow.
2. New Jersey Nets: Deron Williams, Brook Lopez
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The Nets have been trying to lure superstars the last few years, and they were able to achieve part of that goal by trading for Deron Williams.
If they make wise decisions, the Nets should have enough money to sign a max-level free agent in 2012. Rumors have New Jersey/Brooklyn as one of Howard's preferred destinations.
He would be paired inside with Brook Lopez, forming twin towers comparable to Robinson-Duncan. Joining them would be Williams, one of the top point guards in the league.
If they can retain role-players Kris Humphries and Anthony Morrow, plus a few veterans, that would be a championship-caliber team.
1. L.A. Lakers: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol
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The Lakers are one of Howard's preferred landing spots.
This is a nightmare for Magic fans to see Howard follow Shaq's footsteps and leave them for L.A.
Unlike with Shaq though, Orlando could salvage an OK deal for him.
The Lakers could trade young center Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom and rookies Derek Caracter and Devin Ebanks for Howard, Turkoglu and Duhon. This would leave the Lakers a little short on depth initially, but they could convince a few veterans to sign with them.
Gasol's finesse game would fit well with Howard's power game. With one of the greatest to ever play on the wing, they would be hard to stop.
Howard may not be the dominant personality at first, but Bryant will soon fade to second-fiddle and then retire, leaving Howard as the man in L.A.
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