NBA Rumors: Dwight Howard Won't Join Chris Paul and Griffin on L.A. Clippers

According to a report from Chris Sheridan, Dwight Howard has expanded his list of preferred trade destinations to include the new-look Los Angeles Clippers.

From sheridanhoops.com:

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"He’s been watching them a lot. He’s intrigued by the Clippers,” said the source, who is privy to the trade talks that have taken place between all of the aforementioned teams.

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While it is hard to deny how dominate a trio of Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and Howard could be, the actuality of such a formation coming to fruition is improbable at best.

The Orlando Magic are known to want proven players to help them stay competitive in exchange for their star center, and a potential package highlighted by the inclusion of DeAndre Jordan is unlikely to get it done.

Additionally, the report also goes on to state that it has become increasingly likely that Howard will remain with the Magic for the duration of the 2011-2012 campaign. The Clippers will not have the cap room to sign Howard outright, making a sign-and-trade their best—and only—option, yet such a deal is easier said than done.

Once Howard hits the open market, he will have his choice of organization. The Dallas Mavericks have a master plan to lure both him and Deron Williams to Texas to play alongside Dirk Nowitzki, and don't think the New Jersey Nets are out of the picture either.

If Orlando opts to hold onto Howard for the remainder of the season, they may still deal him over the summer and could receive a much more valuable package from either the Nets, or the Los Angeles Lakers. New Jersey has a budding young star who can both score and defend in Brook Lopez, and the Lakers possess a rejuvenated and consistently dominant Andrew Bynum.

The Clippers' Jordan doesn't hold up as a centerpiece compared to the aforementioned athletes. He is a defensive stalwart, but a virtual non-entity on offense. Additionally, who does Los Angeles ship out aside from their one-sided center? Caron Butler, who can't be dealt yet? Mo Williams? Eric Bledsoe? 

Outside of Griffin, the Clippers sent their two most valuable trade chips to the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for Paul. It was not a bad trade, but it has all but disqualified them from the Howard sweepstakes, unless they are willing to deal Griffin, and he is too steep a price to pay even for Howard, as it would disrupt the chemistry that Los Angeles is beginning to establish. 

Howard's new-found desire to join lob city will not become a reality. The only thing it accomplishes is confirming what we already knew: Feasible or not, the Clippers are now an appealing destination for the league's top players. 

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