NBA Trade Speculation: 5 Dream Players to Pair with Dwight Howard

Elsa/Getty Images

The NBA lockout has left us with only the ability to fantasize about what could happen if transactions could be made and look forward.

I will kind of combine the two in this article.

It is well noted that Dwight Howard will become a free agent next July. It doesn't look good for Orlando as far as keeping him around.

There are several teams that would seem to fit him him well, but here are the five players that would be amazing to see him play alongside.

Chris Paul

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

There are a number of pass-savvy point guards I would like to see pair up with Howard, but I picked Chris Paul to represent them all.

Paul's elite playmaking with Howard's dominance and athleticism would result in remarkable sights to see.

Remember the insane amount of alley-oops from Paul to Tyson Chandler that were on display for about three seasons? Well imagine how epic lobs to a three-time dunk contest participant (and one-time winner) in the middle would be.

That is a highlight reel I would pay money for.

Howard's point average is almost destined to go up as a result as well.

Dirk Nowitzki

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Howard and Dirk Nowitzki are both seven-footers, but their games couldn't be any more different. Howard is an athletic freak who lives in the paint and on the glass and Dirk is a crafty pure scorer who can produce points from almost everywhere on the floor.

Despite their indifference, they would compliment each other pretty well in the frontcourt.

Last season, Tyson Chandler served as the best big man Dirk has ever been paired with. Howard would serve as an even better running mate. Putting Howard in Chandler's shoes once again, he does a lot of the same things he does, and on a larger scale.

Running the pick-and-roll with Howard, Dirk and or a point guard would be highly effective. It would be the ultimate 2- to 3-man game. Dirk's shooting and Howard's near unmatched post presence would constantly leave the defense on its heels.

Blake Griffin

Elsa/Getty Images

Blake Griffin unleashed his high-flying prowess on the league in his rookie season. Left and right, he was throwing down dunks as vicious as any the league has ever seen.

Dwight Howard is no stranger to pounding the rim, either.

The two of them together would be another highlight-reel combo. A series of fast breaks with these two running the court could only end in some of the most memorable finishes in recent years.

Kevin Love

Elsa/Getty Images

Last season, Kevin Love snatched the title of the best rebounder in the league form Dwight Howard. He completely mastered the technique of grabbing loose balls out of the air, starting with boxing out and knowing where the ball would land.

While Howard now trails Love, he's still a first-class rebounder. I would love to see both of them in the same uniform cleaning the glass every night.

The rebound totals for the teams would be interesting to look out for. Opponents would have a tough time trying to get their own boards, and these two might both collect 20 rebounds in a game multiple times a season.

With both lurking around the rim, they are almost guaranteed to break a rebounding record or two.

LeBron James

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

When LeBron's state of mind isn't off in a distant location, he's the most dominant player at his position. He's the strongest as well as one of the biggest and quickest. More often than not, he is an extremely tough one-on-one cover.

The exact same thing can be said about Dwight Howard.

The two of them are probably the most dominant players in the league. Pairing them up would unleash a tear of the duo overpowering everyone in their path.

While things could get ugly for their opponents frequently, it would be fun to see the sheer destruction.

 

You can follow Nigel Broadnax on Twitter @BroadnaxWrites.