NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Potential Brooklyn Nets "Big Threes"

The New Jersey Nets are one trade away from turning their franchise around. That trade is for Dwight Howard. Both the Nets and Howard have interest in each other and a deal being reached between the Magic and Nets is questionable right now.

If the Nets are able to acquire Howard they could be on their way to following the current NBA trend of building a team around three star players. 

Here is a look at potential "big three" possibilities the Nets can have if they acquire Howard.

Williams, Howard, Brooks

This "big three" scenario depends on two things. First, whether the Nets will be able to keep rookie MarShon Brooks if they trade for Dwight Howard. Second, if MarShon Brooks can live up to his potential and become a star player in this league.

MarShon Brooks is averaging 15.4 points per game this season including five games with at least 20 points. He is also averaging just under five rebounds per game.

This trio would give the Nets an elite all-around point guard, a shooting guard with scoring and rebounding ability and the best center in basketball.

Williams, Mayo, Howard

This, similar to the MarShon Brooks scenario, relies on O.J Mayo's ability to become a star player in the NBA. Mayo is stuck behind other players in Memphis and the Nets have shown interest in possibly trading Anthony Morrow for Mayo. The Nets could trade Morrow for Mayo, then Brooks and Lopez for Howard.

O.J Mayo has potential but is limited with the Memphis Grizzlies. In his first two seasons in the NBA he averaged 18 points per game, but has been given less playing time and his numbers have obviously dropped. A change of scenery could open up the doors for Mayo to become a 20 points per game player. 

Williams, Gay, Howard

Rudy Gay, unlike O.J Mayo, has found significant playing time on the Memphis Grizzlies. He has averaged around 20 points per game every season except his rookie season and fills the small forward spot that the Nets desperately need filled. 

Gay has a player option in which he could choose not to exercise and become a free agent in 2014. He could opt out and try and get another long-term deal which pays him somewhere around the max salary. At that time Gay may be an elite player and solid addition to Howard and Williams in Brooklyn.

Williams, Chandler, Howard

Wilson Chandler was becoming a solid small forward in the NBA, but because of the lockout he decided to go play in China. His contract did not allow him to get out of it to return to the NBA if the lockout ended. When Chandler gets back to the NBA, the Nets should try to acquire him whether or not they get Howard.

Chandler has averaged at least 15 points and five rebounds per game in the last two seasons and is only 24 years old.

If Chandler continues to improve he could fit in well alongside Williams and Howard.

Williams, Josh Smith, Howard

Josh Smith has shown interest in the Nets. The Hawks were looking to deal Smith in the offseason and the Nets were one of his preferred teams.

If the Nets deal for Howard, it may be hard to make a trade to get Smith too. However if they can find a way to keep MarShon Brooks out of the Howard deal, the Hawks might be interested in taking Brooks themselves. 

If a trade can't be made, the Nets could also wait for the 2013 free agency class when Josh Smith becomes an unrestricted free agent.

This trio gives the Nets a versatile big man in Josh Smith to go along with one of the best "little-big" duo's in the history of the NBA.

Williams, Wallace, Howard

Gerald Wallace is a solid NBA small forward. He is a strong rebounding small forward who is reliable on both ends of the court.

Wallace has a player option after this season and could choose to opt out and get one more long-term contract.

Williams, Wallace and Howard would make the Nets a dangerous defensive team.

Williams, Ellis, Howard

Monta Ellis is a scorer. He may be inconsistent at times but he has averaged over 20 points per game in four seasons including this current season. 

The Nets could look to acquire Ellis in a trade or wait until the 2013 free agency in which Ellis will most likely opt out of his contract in order to get a new contract with more money.

With Howard dominating the paint, scoring opportunities would be endless for Ellis and Williams.

Williams, Granger, Howard

Before the Nets acquired Deron Williams, there was speculation that they could send Devin Harris and Derrick Favors to the Pacers for Danny Granger.

Granger would fit nicely on the Nets right now as they need a scoring small forward. He has averaged more than 20 points per game in three seasons and more than five rebounds per game in four seasons.

With the point guard and center positions locked up with Williams and Howard, Granger would help make the team more complete and fill the small forward position.

Williams, Love, Howard

Kevin Love has become one of the top players in the NBA. He is a lock for a double-double every night and is averaging 24.1 points per game and 14.1 rebounds.

Love has been hesitant to commit long term to the Minnesota Timberwolves and will probably become a restricted free agent after this season.

The Nets could throw a boatload of money at Love and a frontcourt duo of Love and Howard will probably be the greatest of all-time.

Williams, James, Howard

This one is obviously a big reach but LeBron James does have an early termination option in his contract and could use it to become a free agent in 2014. With Williams and Howard already on the team, the Nets would be more intriguing than a few years ago when James was a free agent and met with the Nets.

Although this is unlikely, it is slightly possible that if LeBron continues to fail to win a championship and something happens between his relationship with Wade, he could choose to take his talents somewhere else.

I wouldn't hold your breath on this one Nets fans.