Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: New York Knicks Biggest Threat to New Jersey Nets

I've said it time and time again: the New Jersey Nets remain the top team to trade for Dwight Howard given their package of Brook Lopez and a guaranteed top pick in next year's draft after a terrible start to this season. Throw in a player with the ability of MarShon Brooks and the Nets can even up that package.

But after rumors have surfaced that have the Orlando Magic inquiring about Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler of the New York Knicks, the Nets' package might no longer be tops for the Magic.

With the uncertainty of Lopez's future this season after undergoing foot surgery, he doesn't appear to be such an attractive piece anymore. While the Nets' draft pick is a near guarantee to be in the lottery, Lopez isn't as certain.

The Knicks package, while it hasn't been confirmed, gives Orlando a better chance to win now than what the Nets have to offer. Since the Magic have gotten off to a strong start this season, they could easily pickup where they left off if they took the Knicks' deal.

A deal centered around a young Lopez and future draft picks would leave considerable rebuilding to be done with a far younger team.

Say what you want about Stoudemire's knees, but they haven't been a problem since joining the Knicks, and he could easily replace the offensive output of D12. Chandler, on the other hand, instantly gives the Magic a defensive presence the likes of Howard in the paint.

Now, it's nowhere near clear if this deal is being considered realistically by either team, but if the Knicks are desperate enough to pull the trigger on such a move, they'd win the Howard sweepstakes easily. That is, of course, unless the Los Angeles Lakers offer both Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, which isn't likely.

So far, the denial of this trade possibility is great news for New Jersey and it still leaves them as the front-runners to land D12. But we are talking about the Knicks and if they become desperate because of their slow start, it could spell disaster for the Nets' move to Brooklyn in 2012.