NBA Trade Rumors: Bold Predictions for How Dwight Howard Saga Ends

With the NBA season in full force, we have been lucky enough to be deprived of trade rumors involving your favorite NBA center.

Until now, that is.

Like a phoenix rising out of the ashes, we're bringing back the potential Dwight Howard deal and where he could possibly end up by the end of the season.

The Orlando Magic have certainly attempted to keep Howard in his current location with a strong 10-4 start and with some promise out of guys like Ryan Anderson and J.J. Redick. Still, the Magic haven't picked up anyone significant, are still taking too many three-pointers and are still ignoring Dwight Howard in the middle.

It's a recipe for disaster in Orlando as Howard still mulls over possibly departing for a different team.

Several teams have inquired, but we think we've come up with the team that's set to withhold him for the next few seasons. Take a look at five bold predictions involving Dwight and where he could possibly end up next season and with who.

Dwight Howard Leaves Orlando, Magic Devastated

I'm sure there are many who'd like to say that Dwight Howard isn't going to leave the Orlando Magic.

Unfortunately, I am not one of those people. Even though the Magic are off to a 10-4 start and exceeding expectations, they're still not playing the game the right way. Instead of allowing the ball to run through Howard as we've all been saying for the past six years now, the Magic continue to take far too many three-pointers.

The Magic might be making their shots, but 25 three-pointers per game is insane and isn't something that a team can survive off of for an entire season. No team that is thinking about contending for a title will ever win if they're taking that many three-pointers per game, while also failing to get the most out of their All-Star center.

Howard's only taking 12 shots per game and averaging 20 points out of it. It's a disgrace that he isn't receiving more touches, especially with some of the games he's had this season. He's currently leading the league in rebounding at 15 per game, has scored as much as 45 points and has recorded 20 or more rebounds five times this year.

He's recorded double-digit rebounding in all but three games, foul trouble playing a part in two of those games.

I'd prefer to see Howard stay in Orlando, but they're not doing anything to convince him to stay. Ryan Anderson and J.J. Redick are coming into the own and playing admirably, but the organization has given Howard no indicators for a reason to stay.

Departs for Dallas

The New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, and the Golden State Warriors have all offered their services when it comes to potentially picking up Dwight Howard via trade.

However, those teams don't have the pieces that would bring in Howard. Outside of the Warriors who could potentially offer up the likes of Stephen Curry and a few others, only the Dallas Mavericks are ready to offer some quality pieces in return for the league's most dominant center.

It's no secret that Mark Cuban is attempting to go after Howard and a few other pieces for that matter. Why else would he just allow Tyson Chandler, J.J. Barea, and Caron Butler to walk without even attempting to offer them a deal? Do you think it's any coincidence that Lamar Odom's contract with the Mavericks happens to only be for the season?

The Mavericks are attempting to clear space and they did so by allowing Butler and Chandler to depart for new teams. Those losses will hurt this year, but it will also help the Mavericks secure Dwight Howard because of the funds left over from allowing their key free agents to walk.

Dallas doesn't have much trade bait, but they do have one key piece in Lamar Odom. Coach Stan Van Gundy has gushed about Lamar Odom before and it wouldn't be a surprise if a deal goes through that would send Odom, Brendan Haywood, and Jason Terry in return for the game of the NBA's top center.

Deron Williams Follows, Nets Still Suck

For some convoluted reason that we'll never know, Dwight Howard wanted to go to the New Jersey Nets.

He openly demanded a trade and nearly got his wish before the Magic ownership nullified the deal. It kept Howard in Orlando and potentially out of a horrible situation. Even if Howard was on that team playing alongside Deron Williams, they're still not good enough to make any sort of legitimate championship run. You need other pieces and the Nets plain don't have that.

Honestly, Hedo Turkoglu would have been the third best player and that's only because the Magic would have sent him with Howard. The Nets had little resources to offer in the likes of MarShon Brooks, Kris Humphries and Anthony Morrow. I don't say Brook Lopez because he would have been sent over to Orlando in return.

Deron Williams doesn't want to be in New Jersey. I'm sure the idea of playing there and attracting some free agents enticed him to join the Nets, but it's just not working out. Arguably the league's top point guard is on a 4-11 team with no intention of making a late-season run towards the playoffs.

Even when this team goes to Brooklyn, what would convince Williams to stay? Outside of him and the new location, they have no resources to possibly entice a player into going there.

With the Mavericks offering the chance to play alongside Dirk Nowitzki and Dwight Howard, Williams departs for Dallas.

The Mavericks Are Really Good

And because Deron Williams and Dwight Howard are in Dallas playing alongside Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks happen to be a really good team.

Obviously, they would be. They have arguably the top point guard, power forward, and center all in their starting lineup. Dallas would have had to give up a few key bench players in return for obtaining Howard, but it would pay off as the Mavericks would have the most volatile, dangerous starting lineup in the NBA.

While the Miami Heat may boast two superstar slashers and the New York Knicks can claim two of the best scorers, it won't compare to what the Mavericks have because they have the point guard to round it all out. As long as the Mavericks have a point guard like Williams to rely on and make the decisions, they'll be the team to beat in the West, and possibly the NBA.

Dallas would support a stellar playmaker in Williams at the one, an elite sharpshooter at the four, and possibly the most dominant figure in the NBA today manning the paint. With the team set to actually look for Howard down low instead of shooting nothing but mindless three-pointers, the Mavericks finally get the best out of Dwight as he averages 25 and 15 per game.

With only the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers set to provide the only possible deterrent to the Mavericks quest of another title, Dallas could easily see a Finals appearance in the near future if they play their cards right.

But How Good?

Not all can be right, however.

This is an excellent core that will be difficult to stop, but just how long can this core play to its fullest potential. Dirk Nowitzki isn't getting any younger at the age of 33. He'll be 34 in June, when this whole plan comes together, and would only have another two or three years in him, at best, of playing at the level he's been playing at.

Nowitzki has seen his minutes significantly drop down over the past two seasons. Regularly a 36-38 minute per night type of player, Dirk played in 34 minutes per last season and is currently only playing in 30 minutes per night. He's been playing in the NBA since 1998 and has racked up 37,000 minutes, which would take a toll on the body of any 7-footer, even if they do nothing but shoot.

The Williams and Howard combination, however, will be devastating. We've seen how well Williams can play with a post presence like Carlos Boozer and we've seen how Howard can play with an above average point guard in Jameer Nelson. Both players are extremely skilled at their positions and already know how to play an inside-outside game.

If Williams is feeding Howard down low, Dwight's going to find his shots coming as close to the rim as possible. If Howard is feeding Williams, he's either going to make the three-point shot which he has become so good at or he'll use his sick crossover to get an open lane and then drive.

This three-man core has the negative of Dirk being past his prime, but with Howard and Williams set to take over, Dallas has nothing to worry about.

Expect a few title runs from this squad if this does actually happen.