NBA Trade Rumors: Top 5 Destinations for Dwight Howard

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard is the most intriguing player in the NBA not only for his superstar abilities, but also he will be either traded or signing with a new team within the next year.

Howard, 25, will definitely change the league's landscape the way Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Chris Paul all have done since last season.

With Howard being the leading topic of NBA conversation, here are the top five possible destinations that are both rumored and would be ideal fits for Howard.

Dwight Howard Stays with Orlando Magic

Even though Dwight Howard has been complaining about the Orlando Magic not fielding a competitive team, the superstar center placed the Magic as one of the teams he wants to sign with long-term.

Magic general manager Otis Smith wants to keep Howard around, and he is hoping the three-time Defensive Player of the Year would want to make the Magic his permanent home.

Howard has played his entire seven-plus year career in Orlando, where the fans adore him, and he could sign a max contract with them.

The Magic need to somehow get help to shore up their team if they want to re-sign Howard.

Dwight Howard Is Traded/Signs with New Jersey Nets

The New Jersey Nets have been fortunate to land on Dwight Howard's exclusive list.

What makes New Jersey attractive to Howard is they are moving to Brooklyn next season and will hopefully still retain the services of star point guard Derron Williams.

Unfortunately for the Nets, young center Brook Lopez suffered a severe injury to his right foot which will make trading him to the Orlando Magic almost impossible.

If Howard is not traded, he will definitely think hard of signing with the Nets. With Williams a far superior point guard than the Magic's Jameer Nelson and Lopez a strong scorer, Howard will have more offensive opportunities to excel while transforming the Nets into viable contenders.

Dwight Howard Is Traded/Signs with Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are another top destination that Dwight Howard let the Orlando Magic know that he's interested in.

Big reasons why Howard wants to go to LA is the bigger market, the championship tradition and playing with one of the NBA's all-time greats in Kobe Bryant.

Bryant has not lost a step, as the 33-year-old superstar has averaged 27.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists in his first three games with little help.

The Lakers certainly have talented pieces to give the Magic. To gain Howard, the Lakers will most likely have to part with both Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.

The Lakers owner Jim Buss, though, said that he will not trade both players for Howard. Buss might change his mind if the Lakers struggle with Bryant applying extra pressure for a trade.

If Howard plays out his Magic contract, the Lakers will definitely be major players in the Howard sweepstakes.

Dwight Howard Is Traded/Signs with Chicago Bulls

While the Chicago Bulls did not make Dwight Howard's list, they have been heavily involved in trade talks for the Orlando Magic center. 

The Bulls have the most talent to give the Magic, as Bulls power forward Carlos Boozer (30) and center Joakim Noah (26) are both very effective players who still have many years of solid basketball remaining.

Also, the Bulls have the first-round draft pick from the Charlotte Bobcats and would probably add another first-round pick at that.

Derrick Rose and Howard would automatically be the best small and big combo in the NBA, while key players such as Luol Deng and Richard Hamilton would remain on the roster.

The Bulls will probably not trade for Howard but might make a run for him if he isn't traded. Chicago would probably amnesty Boozer if he has a bad year and then make a play at Howard in free agency.

Dwight Howard Is Traded/Signs with Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers were not on Dwight Howard's trade list, but would be an ideal fit for the Orlando Magic superstar.

The Clippers have returned to relevance after trading for former New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul and signing top free agents in Caron Butler and Chauncey Billups.

Los Angeles would probably be willing to unload Butler, center DeAndre Jordan and either Mo Williams or Eric Bledsoe.

Butler would replace a declining Hedo Turkoglu at small forward while Jordan would be good at the center position. Williams or Bledsoe would be an upgrade over Jameer Nelson at point guard. Plus, the Clippers wouldn't mind parting with first-round draft picks.

Howard would then be teamed up with Paul and power forward Blake Griffin, forming a Big Three that might be better than the Miami Heat version of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

If Howard runs out his contract, the Clippers would be calling Howard on speed dial, and the superstar center will be listening carefully.