NBA Trade Rumors: Otis Smith Sets Too Steep a Price for Dwight Howard

You can have a semi-used Dwight Howard, but it's going to cost you. 

The Orlando Magic continue to roll the dice on Howard staying after this brief and entirely wacky season. Superman has made no secret that he would like out, and at the very  least will be testing free agency. 

In response, general manager Otis Smith is banking on Howard appreciating in value like a fine wine, or a center that is needed for a playoff crunch. 

If you are wondering what it will take to get your hands on the best defender in the league, ESPN's Marc Stein has the Kelly Blue Book of sorts. 

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Orlando will not hold out for youth and draft picks...The Magic, sources say, would instead prefer to bring back multiple established veterans who can keep the team competitive. ... I have heard from multiple teams observing the Dwight Sweepstakes suggest that the best offer Orlando is likely to see could be a three-way deal reminiscent of the trade construction that the Lakers and Houston Rockets hatched in their near-trade for CP3...

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For now, it would seem that the Magic are looking for at least a couple of proven stars for one top-five player. That should put a stop to the Lakers taking action anytime soon. 

There is no way a team that is barely making ends currently is going to gut the team of what would surely be Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol for Howard. 

That would go for any other team that would come calling, the Nets included. Not that the Nets would have a good deal in place with Brook Lopez sidelined. 

Smith continues to tighten his stance, and he has every right to do so. However, the gamble may cost the Magic dearly in the end. 

If the Magic falter, all the leverage that Smith thinks he has will go out the door. He will be begging for fresh young talent at that point. 

The best-case scenario would be for Howard to stay in Orlando. If you read between the lines, that just doesn't seem at all likely. It's time to trade now, because Howard is only going to decrease in value.

 

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