Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: Struggling Nets Must Make Big Push for Howard

It's time for the New Jersey Nets to make a run at landing Dwight Howard.

The Nets are quickly falling out of the playoff race and have shown no signs of life during their current three-game losing streak. If there were ever a time for a shakeup, it's now. New Jersey is already on Howard's shortlist of places where he'd be willing to negotiate an extension if traded.

Fred Kerber of the New York Post reported the Nets are confident they have the pieces to get a deal done with the Orlando Magic:

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The Nets have been quietly confident all along about Howard. As the Knicks thought about Anthony last year, the Nets and obviously believe if they land him they can keep him. And they believe they can land him. So some around the Nets have used those buzzwords “favorable … strong … good.”

“We’re more than just ‘in the mix,’” said one source.

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Howard is the definition of a game-changer. He could step in and immediately revitalize the struggling Nets, who will slowly fade out of contention if a deal is not made before the deadline. The six-time All-Star center has everything the team needs, including some flash.

New Jersey ranks near the bottom of the NBA in rebounding and shot-blocking. Those two problems would be instantly solved if the team traded for Howard. He's as dominant of an interior presence as there is in the league right now.

He'd also thrive playing with Deron Williams. The combination of Blake Griffin and Chris Paul in Los Angeles has proven how effective combining an elite point guard with an athletic big man can be and the Nets should be craving their own dynamic duo.

Howard and Williams would be the perfect faces of the franchise as it prepares to move to Brooklyn before next season. It's no secret that a team needs star power to survive in New York City. A trade for Howard would ensure the Nets have their fair share.

The NBA continues to move toward superstar-oriented teams. If a franchise doesn't have at least two marquee names then it's going to struggle to remain in contention, plain and simple. Right now the Nets only have one of those players. Howard would give them two.

No matter what angle you attack a potential Howard trade from, it helps the Nets. He can help them turn the current season around while also laying the groundwork for the future. So, there's really no reason to wait until the offseason and risk losing him to another team.

New Jersey needs to formulate the best package it can that doesn't involve Williams and start putting the full-court press on the Magic to complete a deal. Now's the time to get something done.