NBA Trade Rumors: Most Likely Destinations for Dwight Howard

Unless something drastic happens between this very moment and the trade deadline, Dwight Howard is going to be dealt to another team.

According to Brian Schmitz at the Orlando Sentinel, Magic owner Rich DeVos and his family have given an executive order to move their superstar center by March 15. The organization does not want to repeat the same mistakes they made with Shaquille O’Neal and risk getting nothing in return for Howard.

So, where will the reigning three-time Defensive Player of the Year end up?

Let’s take a look.

New York Knicks

Whenever a superstar is on the trading block, a team would be off their rocker not to at least put a call through to the GM and see what it would take to get him off their hands.

While New York already has a “Big Three” with Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and Amar’e Stoudemire, the latter has a contract that matches up and is being thrown around in some new trade rumors this week.

Neither side should be serious about this trade unless something drastic happens.

New Jersey Nets

This seemed like the most likely landing place for Dwight until Brook Lopez broke his foot and set negotiations back at least a few weeks.

Howard listed the Nets as one of the three teams he would sign an extension with and it’s largely because of the presence of Deron Williams and their impending move to Brooklyn.

However, if Lopez doesn’t properly heal by March and D-Will doesn’t remain committed to the franchise, things could go south quickly for Howard heading to the Garden State.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have the best trading chip and are most likely going to hold on to him until Magic GM Otis Smith gets desperate.

That’s right, Andrew Bynum is the man who gets the deal done for the Lakers, possibly without giving up Pau Gasol.

Since returning from his suspension at the start of the season, Bynum has averaged 17.9 points, 14.6 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.1 assists per game. Those eye-popping numbers are what were expected from him when he joined the league as the 10th overall pick in 2005.

Now that Bynum has reached his potential, the Magic may be willing to take him and little else in order to mitigate the potential damage that would stem from letting Howard walk for nothing this offseason.

Honorable Mentions

Dallas, Golden State—Both of these teams would love to add Howard but do not have the pieces or cap room this season and are most likely going to wait until after the year is done to make their move.