NBA Rumors: Where Will Dwight Howard Land?

Dwight Howard has not made any friends in Orlando this season. After ripping his teammates for lack of effort in a game where they were destroyed by the Indiana Pacers, 106-85, it looks almost inevitable that Dwight will be traded before the end of the season.

The question to ponder is where he will land. Plenty of teams have the funds to bring Howard in, but the Magic still have to approve a trade, something easier said than done.

Rich DeVos, chairman of the ownership group of the Orlando Magic, has made it clear by not trading Howard that the Magic still feel they can land a contract extension for him by the end of the year. 

All signs point to Howard being on the way out, so which team would be the best fit?

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers are not getting any younger. They've certainly got intriguing trade bait for Howard, but will it be enough to bring him to the Staples Center? They were ready to offer up Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and anyone else on the roster for Chris Paul, and it's only plausible that the same would be said for a Howard trade. 

Howard would certainly bring the spotlight in LA back to the Lakers. In a Western Conference that is getting younger and stronger by the season, the Lakers are 1-7 on the road this year, and haven't played much better at home.

Kobe Bryant has been dropping points like a mad man, and most nights, it's still not enough. Whether they land Dwight Howard or not, the Lakers need to do something to get their head above water in the West.

Dallas Mavericks

The buzz from Dallas is worth keeping an eye on. With the addition of Lamar Odom, they have decent trade bait for Howard, and they plan on making a big splash in the 2012 free agent market.

Rumors have circulated ESPNDallas.com that the Mavericks have their eyes on both Howard and Deron Williams in the offseason. The Mavericks have struggled thus far and could use a big presence in the paint defensively after losing Tyson Chandler to the Knicks last offseason.

This rumor seems to surround the summer of 2012, which would satisfy Rich DeVos' dreams of keeping Howard in Orlando for one more season.

Mark Cuban certainly has the funds to bring big name stars to play with Dirk Nowitzki. Will Howard be one of them? 

New Jersey Nets

The Nets are no longer the dark horse in this race. Howard explicitly requested a trade to New Jersey to play with Deron Williams, and with a move to Brooklyn scheduled in a few seasons, the Nets serve as a big-market destination that makes Howard wide-eyed.

Mikhail Prokhorov, the New Jersey Nets' owner, has expressed interest in star players. He lobbied heavily to bring Melo to New Jersey before he signed with the Knicks, and Prokhorov has made it no secret that his money is burning a hole in his pocket.

Howard was ready to play in New Jersey, and if Deron Williams signs an extension with the Nets, it's not too far-fetched to suggest that Howard joins him in Newark in 2013.

Los Angeles Clippers

This was a much more realistic proposition before the acquisition of Chris Paul, but it's still a possibility. While the only trade that would make any sense for the Magic would have to include either DeAndre Jordan or Blake Griffin, the Clippers are hoping that Howard makes it to free agency in 2012.

If Howard enters free agency, the Clippers could be a likely landing spot. Since their resurgence this season, the Clippers have cemented themselves as not just "the other team" in Los Angeles. Many stars would be itching at the chance to play with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, and Howard is no different.

He desires a big market where his personality can flourish, and what bigger market is there than Los Angeles? Howard would hoist the Clippers past most teams in the West in one offseason and have a legitimate chance of winning a championship with the Clippers in a few years.

While this would help Howard's popularity, it wouldn't do any favors for the Shaquille O'Neal comparisons. 

He Won't Be in Orlando

Dwight Howard will certainly choose a new team to lead in 2013 if he makes it to free agency.

If the Magic are smart, a deal will be done by the trade deadline to avoid another Shaq debacle. Howard is on his way out, and if he makes it to the offseason, he will be wined and dined by the best franchises in the NBA for his services.