Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: Will the Lakers or Nets Land Superman?

Dwight Howard is the most dominant center in the NBA, and he is the most coveted player right now. It seems like every few days a new team becomes another possible spot for Howard to land.  

There may be no resolution until the summer.

Trade speculations have been brewing since last season, and one of the first teams mentioned was the Los Angeles Lakers. Currently, they are the most likely team to trade for Howard.

There are other teams in the hunt, but the Lakers have the best value for a long-term deal. New Jersey was the early odds-on favorite, but Orlando rejected a Brook Lopez-centered package twice. (One would've brought Gerald Wallace along.) With Lopez now out until the All-Star game, at least, New Jersey's shot at a trade seems shot—for now.

Dallas is another destination, but they have no assets.  

Chicago and Golden State are in the hunt, and both can offer a better deal than the Lakers. The Bulls can offer Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and/or Omer Asik, while the Warriors can offer Monta Ellis or Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and David Lee. Both teams aren't on Howard's list, though, so it's most likely he won't go there.  

The Lakers can give Andrew Bynum with maybe Devin Ebanks, picks and the trade exception. Even without Pau Gasol, Orlando believes Bynum is a better cornerstone than Lopez.

What happens if Howard stays the whole season, though?  

New Jersey would probably be the most attractive destination.

First, New Jersey is a horrible team this year. At this rate, they may have a Top Five pick in this year's very deep draft and possibly the No. 1 pick. They may get a Harrison Barnes or a Jeremy Lamb. They have Houston's pick too if Houston is at least 15th.  

The Nets may also trade the top pick for another key player like the Celtics getting Ray Allen or the Clippers getting Elton Brand. Most of the Nets' salaries are off the books, so they can sign Deron Williams and Howard to max contracts. For the short term, they can have Lopez sign for the one-year tender and let him be unrestricted next year.  

Think about it—the Nets can have a lineup of Williams, MarShon Brooks, Barnes, Lopez and Howard.

Currently, the Magic are doing well record-wise—but their record is very deceiving at 10-3. Of the 10 wins, only one was against an above-.500 team. Things will get tougher, and at times, Howard has shown signs of not wanting to stay.  

Expect him to be in L.A. or Brooklyn by July.