NBA Trade Rumors: 3 Teams That Need to Make a Play for Dwight Howard

With the Dwight Howard rumors being dominated by two teams, the Lakers and the Nets, the talks haven't necessarily been dominated by the two. Otis Smith has let it be known he'll talk to anyone willing to take a risk for the big man. Furthermore, they are looking for veteran players to compete now, not draft picks. 

Chicago was a team that wasn't on the list, but inquired about him. The problem there is in shoes, as in shoe endorsements. With Derrick Rose and Howard both looking to fill the same "shoes," the city isn't big enough for both of them. Because of that, and because it's a risky play anyway, the Bulls shouldn't be making a play. 

The thing is that the Magic are looking for players 

Here are three teams that should entertain talks about Howard. 

Atlanta Hawks

That Atlanta Hawks are a warm-weather city. Al Horford wouldn't mind going back to Florida. A package sending Horford and Josh Smith to Orlando would be an even enough swap that leaves Orlando a competitive team. 

Not only that, it would give the Atlanta Hawks their first max contract level player since Dominique Wilkins. Joe Johnson might be a max-contract player, but let's not confuse that with being a max-contract level player. 

This roster isn't going anywhere, anyway. Might as well make a gamble. 

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors are a team that has lots of talent that's proven but still young enough. They could build an attractive enough package around David Lee and one of their two backcourt superstars. 

Lee and Ryan Anderson would form an formidable and challenging frontcourt. Adding Stephen Curry to the Magic would make the backcourt very interesting paired next to Jason Richardson. 

Meanwhile in Golden State, Dwight Howard would fit in incredibly well with Mark Jackson's new defense-first mentality.

Dallas Mavericks

A frontcourt featuring Dirk Nowitzki and Dwight Howard would be in the conversation for best power forward/center combination in NBA history. 

Pairing the most unguardable big man with the NBA's defensive player would be borderline cheating. The Magic want veterans, and the Mavs have veterans. 

They could play a game of "Pick Two" with the Magic. Take Dirk Nowitzki off the table and tell them, pick any two players you want. Make it pick three. Make it pick four and send us Hedo Turkoglu. 

Dallas is on the big man's short list, and they've been trying to set themselves up to land him in free agency. Waiting might not be the best idea, though. If he gets traded, the whole plan falls apart. The Mavs need to jump in the game.