NBA Trade Rumors: Why Dwight Howard to the New York Knicks Makes Sense

Bright lights in a bigger city: This is the dream of Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard.

The sentiment is shared amongst many star players in the NBA, from Carmelo Anthony forcing the hand of the Denver Nuggets, to Chris Paul's escape from exile in New Orleans to the lifestyle of Los Angeles.

Players want to be seen on a big stage. Some believe that the key to winning is being in a big market, and Howard's rumored wish list includes the Lakers, Clippers, Nets, Mavericks and Knicks.

The best proposed deal has been Howard to the Knicks in exchange for Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler.

Just do it already!

This deal is terrible for the NBA. It takes another household name away from a small market team.

Isn't this why the owners staged a lockout that lasted until the first week of December?

If the rumored deal is accurate, let's get it done so we can move on with our NBA-loving lives. Stoudemire and Chandler would be a great return for Orlando.

Magic fans would be happy to know that Stoudemire originally comes from the Phoenix Suns run-and-gun team. With Ryan Anderson, Jameer Nelson and Jason Richardson aboard, Orlando would have the pieces in place to remain a contender.

Stoudemire has familiarity with Richardson from playing with him in Phoenix. Tyson Chandler is the type of center that coach Stan Van Gundy likes—tough and defensive-minded. 

The Magic would be improving themselves with this trade.

In Howard, the Knicks would receive yet another box-office star to pair alongside Anthony. In theory, it works for New York because the playing styles of both Howard and Anthony complement each other quite well.

Howard would be the low-post presence the Knicks lack despite Stoudemire currently being on the roster. Amare is more of a face-up player than a back-to-the-basket one.

Howard does the dirty work inside that few players are willing to do.

The potential inside-out combination that the Knicks would have would be a great one. But unfortunately, it's not one that brings an NBA championship.

Should that deter New York from making this deal? Of course not.

Clearing cap space for upcoming free-agent Deron Williams would also be part of the plan. In all likelihood, they will have to take on Hedo Turkoglu's contract, but they can dismiss him at season's end in a trade or perhaps keep him to use as a point-forward.

Chances of this deal happening: I give it a 75 percent possibility. Rarely does a trade come around that is fair for both sides.

Again, just do it already.