NBA Trade Rumors: Dwight Howard Has Control over Final Destination

Dwight Howard has made it clear that he wants to leave the Orlando Magic when he enters free agency this summer.

By making that statement, he's destroyed any leverage the Magic had in any potential trade negotiations.

This situation is very similar to the Carmelo Anthony situation last season, when Anthony held the Denver Nuggets hostage until he was traded to the New York Knicks.

However, it's different in one important way: Melo demanded a trade specifically to the Knicks; Howard just wants to be traded to one of three or four teams.

So, the Magic can potentially create a bidding war between a couple teams for a Howard trade, but they still aren't going to get full value for the best center in the game.

They are going to be desperate to trade Howard before the March 15 trade deadline so that they won't lose him for nothing in free agency, and other teams know that.

Why should the New Jersey Nets offer Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries and a few draft picks when they can probably get Howard for less as the deadline nears?

And why should the Los Angeles Lakers have to trade both Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum for Howard when they can possibly get Howard with a deal centered around just Bynum?

The Knicks caved last season and gave in to all of the Nuggets' trade demands, even though they were going to get Anthony no matter what in free agency.

The Lakers and Nets should learn from New York's mistake and hold firm with their lower offers. Then, even if the Magic decide not to trade Howard and let him walk in free agency, both teams have a good chance of signing him.

The Magic are certainly faced with a less-than-desirable situation with Howard. They hold no leverage and have few options, but must make a trade. Otherwise, they'll let the best center in basketball leave in free agency and get nothing in return.

So, while they need Howard to be competitive this season, they need to think about the future of the team and get some solid players in return for him.

The question seems to be: Would the Magic rather build around the injury-plagued Bynum or the injury-plagued Lopez?

Based on what I've seen, I'd go with Lopez. Bynum has proven he can't handle the wear-and-tear of a full NBA season.