NBA Trade Rumors: Warriors Would Regret Trading for Dwight Howard

Hey, you probably haven't heard about this under-the-radar story, but word is, Dwight Howard will probably be traded by the Orlando Magic at some point this season.

Crazy how these stories just slip through the cracks, isn't it?

Anyway, the latest team thought to be intrigued at the prospect of trading for the NBA's most talented big man is the Golden State Warriors. But as Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports, the Warriors would be taking a big risk to do so:

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Golden State management is willing to take Howard as a one-season “rental,” with the hope of selling him on signing a long-term deal before he enters free agency this summer. Like most teams, Golden State has inquired with Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith, but the Magic have yet to commit to aggressively pursuing a trade of Howard.

For the Magic to become intrigued with package, two things would likely have to appeal to them: rebuilding around young point guard Stephen Curry; and the Warriors’ salary-cap space to absorb the three years and $34 million left on Hedo Turkoglu’s contract. The possibility of the pursuit could be complicated by questions about the sturdiness of Curry’s surgically repaired right ankle. The Warriors are willing to part with either of their two guards – Curry or Monta Ellis – but teams clearly will watch how Curry recovers from his recurring ankle sprains.

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As Wojnarowski notes, Howard has told Orlando he would sign a contract extension with the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers or New Jersey Nets. So why would Golden State gut the youth of their team to acquire a one-year rental while taking on the massive contract of Hedo Turkoglu?

Here's their thought process, according to Wojnarowski:

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The Warriors think they can sell Howard on the endorsement possibilities of a global NBA star in Silicon Valley. From tech companies to social media, Golden State thinks Howard would find an untapped market, as well as a nod from Adidas, who is preparing a new deal for him. And the bottom line is this: Should Golden State make a deal for Howard, he would have to take $30 million less over the length of a contract extension to leave this summer.

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I see where you are coming from, but it's not worth the risk, Golden State. Howard isn't going to re-sign with you. You don't have Jay-Z. You don't have the allure of the Lakers. You don't have Mark Cuban and Dirk Nowitzki.

What you do have is some good, young talent in Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis and David Lee. Rather than give that away for a rental, either hold on to it for now or trade it for a player that will actually stay for the long haul.

Dwight Howard won't stay for the long haul. And you'll find yourself back at the drawing board without any of the tools you once had to build a team around.

Hit me up on the Twitter—all the cool kids are doing it.