NBA Rumors: Dwight Howard Going to Nets Would Ruin Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks haven't looked like the defending champions thus far this season, and if Dwight Howard ends up with the New Jersey Nets, there won't be a whole lot to be cheery about in the summer either.

Alex Kennedy of HOOPSWORLD reported on Thursday:

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Multiple sources believe Howard will force his way to the Nets and he certainly has leverage, just like Carmelo Anthony had last year when he would only agree to sign an extension with the New York Knicks. Howard wants to team up with Deron Williams, loves the idea of playing in Brooklyn and knows that the front office will involve him in the decision-making process.

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The problem with this is, not only would the Mavericks miss out on Howard, if he went to the Nets, they would likely miss out on Williams too. In short, I can't see Williams leaving New Jersey in the summer with Howard by his side.

The Mavericks likely won't make a big trade before the trade deadline this season.

As Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News wrote on Tuesday:

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It would be stunning if the Mavericks did anything of note before that because they simply don't have the sort of tradeable assets to make a blockbuster happen. But they will have major bucks to spend in the summer.

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That's why it's so critical to have at least Howard or Williams in the picture this summer. The Mavericks would likely unload on one of the two and dangle the opportunity of playing with Dirk Nowitzki in front of their noses. That could indeed land them one of the two superstars.

The Nets have been trying for years to get out of the doldrums. They haven't made the playoffs since 2007 and haven't made it past the conference semifinals since 2003. They had a combined 36 wins the past two seasons. Adding Howard alongside Williams would be a huge step in the right direction.

But for the Mavericks, it would be abundantly clear that they wouldn't be back in the NBA Finals for a long, long time.