NBA: 5 Teams Dwight Howard Should Consider Joining in 2012 Free Agency

The most dominant big man in the league today will soon have to make a decision of where to spend the next few years of his career. The summer of 2012 is shaping up to be an interesting one, with Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Deron Williams all being free agents.

Where D12 decides to go will have a huge impact on the power balance of the league for years to come. In a league where centers are at a premium, Howard is undeniably the best on both ends of the floor. He has won the Defensive Player of the Year Award several times, and led a mediocre Magic team to being the best statistical defensive team.

So where will Superman go?

Here are five places that D12 should consider.

5. New Jersey Nets

I understand it doesn't sound terribly glamorous, but do the big lights really appeal to D12?

For this to make sense, the Nets would also have to lock up at least Deron Williams, and maybe even Brooke Lopez for years to come. Lopez's questionable rebounding efforts would be masked by Howard, and the Nets would have a front line that could rival the Lakers.

A core of Howard, Williams, and Lopez is a very good start. And unless Eastern Conference teams such as the Celtics and Heat improve at center, this could be a matchup nightmare.

You better believe that Mikhail Prokhorov will at least give this a shot. Whether he can land D12, well that's another issue.

4. New York Knicks

My guess is that the offensive-minded Mike D'Antoni can't be the coach of the Knicks for this to be a possibility.

But a core of Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Dwight Howard sure is appealing. Sure, two of the three don't play defense, but the third is so good at it that it doesn't really matter. Would there be any way to match up with the Knicks? It sure would be tough.

With the financial landscape of the NBA undecided, it is to be seen if this would even be possible. Even if it is, D12 might not want to share the ball with two of the most offensive-minded players in the league. And understandably so.

3. Los Angeles Clippers

No, this isn't a mistake. The Clippers, yes.

Dwight Howard, Blake Griffin, Eric Gordon, Eric Bledsoe? Sign me up, that's a team I would love to watch for the next five or six years.

That being said, the best big man in the league would be taking his talents to "the other team in LA" and would still be in Kobe Bryant's shadow for a little while. But who cares? D12 joining the Clippers could make them a legitimate contender for years to come. Strictly talent wise, the Clippers might be the most talented team in the sweepstakes.

Will Dwight actually consider the Clippers? I wouldn't be surprised if the answer was no. On paper, though, it definitely makes some sense. Clipper fans are drooling everywhere.

2. Boston Celtics

The Celtics might not have as much young talent as the previous three teams, but they do have a few important things going for them in the D12 contest.

One of them is a coach that Dwight would love to play for. Doc Rivers has to be an appealing aspect of coming to the Boston Celtics. Something else that might lure Howard? The potential to win championships and dominate the game the way Bill Russell did. We've all seen the interviews between Howard and Russell, and unlike LeBron James, legacy might be a priority with D12. 

Not to mention he would have another excellent defender and passer on his team in Rajon Rondo. Paul Pierce could possibly be around for another year or two while the Celtics look to add more pieces around Howard and Rondo.

The Celtics will make a push for Howard, and D12 will have to consider it strongly. We might see a recruitment team of Doc Rivers, Danny Ainge, Rajon Rondo and Bill Russell out in full force in 2012.

1. Los Angeles Lakers

Ah, the glamour. Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant, Jack Nicholson.

For this to happen, the front line trio of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom will probably have to be broken apart in some way.

Dwight Howard could join the long list of Laker legends that have brought basketball glory to the city of Los Angeles.

Similar to the situation with the Celtics, the Lakers offer a huge legacy opportunity. With Kobe only getting older, they may have to rebuild their roster a little to accommodate D12.

This may happen through a trade, as the Lakers have pieces to offer the magic in Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom.

I anticipate that the Lakers are probably the slight favorite to land Howard, but there are plenty of possibilities and plenty of teams who would love to land him. Don't completely rule out him returning to Orlando, but I believe he will take his talents elsewhere.

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