NBA Trade Deadline: Dwight Howard and Biggest Dramas Around the League

We're edging closer and closer to the trade deadline in March, and that means the pressure will continue to build for teams needing to make a deal.

Whether teams are struggling or simply have frustrated players, there will be more than enough deals in the upcoming month.

In addition to all the trade happenings, we'll see a small group of guys coming back from China and looking to sign with a team such as Kenyon Martin did with the Clippers.

How will everything play out? We don't know yet.

What we do know is that there are plenty of interesting plot lines to follow as we near the time of year when the biggest personnel moves go down.

Lamar Odom

I can’t really remember the last time we saw a player so adversely affected by being traded.

While he claims to be happy in Dallas, it’s clear that he is still struggling to adjust to a new system, a new city and new teammates.

By the end of the season, Odom should find his rhythm and be an important part of the team. For now, the Mavericks need to stay patient and try and keep Lamar involved.

If they don’t, their $8.9 million investment will look pretty bad.

Up to this point, it seems as though both the Lakers and Mavericks lost this deal, but if things turn around for Odom, Dallas will have gotten a steal.

Rajon Rondo

Despite being second in the league in assists, Rajon Rondo is constantly disrespected, as demonstrated by this year’s All-Star snub.

Just a few days ago Rondo went nuts against the Bulls dropping 32 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists and two steals. There aren’t many guys in the game that can put up numbers like that, and Rondo will only get better.

And yet, the Celtics have shown little interest in keeping Rondo around for the long haul. Things first started with Rondo’s name being thrown around in trade rumors with Chris Paul.

However, the trade rumors have continued, most recently involving Pau Gasol. The logic is questionable in giving up a 25-year-old stud point guard for a 32-year-old big man.

Should the Celtics send Rondo away, they may end up greatly regretting it.

Pau Gasol

No one is blaming Gasol for the Lakers' early struggles this season. In fact, Gasol has been one of the few reasons the team is staying afloat.

However, it can’t be denied that the Lakers need more than what they have now and a deal involving Gasol may be the only way to acquire more talent.

While it’s unlikely the Lakers would get Dwight for a package around Gasol, there are reasons to believe Deron Williams may be available.

Part of the issue right now is that the Lakers simply don’t have enough depth to be effective on offense.

If Gasol doesn’t get dealt for a single premier player, he may still be traded in order to get two or three talented players that can surround Andrew Bynum and Kobe Bryant.

Dwight Howard

No story has garnered more attention than the saga going down in Orlando.

Despite many people assuming early on that the Magic would follow the same path as the Nuggets with Carmelo Anthony and the Hornets with Chris Paul, it seems as though the Magic will take the route that the Cavs took with LeBron James in the hopes that their situation turns out more favorable.

Orlando Magic owner Richard DeVos recently stated that he isn’t quite ready to deal Dwight Howard. I don’t blame him.

However, if the Magic organization continues to get the cold shoulder from Howard, they may not have a choice in the matter if they don’t want to lose out completely. And though it seems like the Lakers are the top suitors for the big man, the Magic would be wise to try and deal with the Chicago Bulls if possible.

The Bulls have plenty of assets and could probably offer the best deal. On the other hand, the Bulls are playing so well that they may not want to gut their team simply for a chance to pair Derrick Rose with Dwight Howard.

Steve Nash

Ever since Amar'e Stoudemire left the Suns, the team hasn’t been able to compete on an elite level.

It seems like every team looking for a point guard has been eagerly waiting for the moment when Nash and the Suns decide to part ways.

Unfortunately for the rest of the league, Steve Nash and the Suns are big on loyalty. Go figure.

Meanwhile, teams like the Knicks and the Pacers have had good production from Jeremy Lin and Darren Collison, respectively. However, don’t think for a second that either of those teams wouldn’t mind making a play for Nash should he become available.

The Lakers are probably in the most need of a point guard and would be at the front of the line to bring in the veteran guard, however, they may have to pay a steep price.

More likely than not, the Suns will hold on to Nash, but if the trade deadline comes around and the Suns have fallen even farther in the standings, look for a few teams to come calling.

Deron Williams

Deron Williams’ situation might be the most confusing of them all. While he hasn’t made any public trade demands, there is a general consensus around the league that the Nets need to bring in some serious talent this season in order to not lose him this offseason.

Should Dwight Howard come to New Jersey, all would be fixed and Nets fans could breathe easy.

Unfortunately, waiting in the wings are the Mavericks, who hope to bring the Dallas native home in free agency. However, it would be unlikely that the Nets allow Williams to walk without getting something in return and may look to swing a deal before the deadline should they not be able to bring in a player to convince Williams to stay.

Should the Nets look to trade, they may not find many suitors as the Mavericks don’t quite have the assets to get a deal done.

The Lakers on the other hand might be wiling to make a deal, but probably wont give up much more than Pau Gasol which might not be enough.

Could a team like the Knicks end up sending Carmelo Anthony for a stud point guard? It was certainly discussed when Chris Paul was on the block and could be an interesting twist seeing as how hard the Nets pursued Anthony this time last year.

J.R. Smith

J.R. Smith has to be loving all of this attention. For the first time in his life, he is the most sought-after player in free agency.

Of course, the typical free-agency period is over, but we’re seeing a second wave of players coming into the market as they are able to leave their teams from overseas.

Kenyon Martin has already signed with the Clippers and Wilson Chandler is probably headed back to the Nuggets. J.R. seems to be interested in the idea of joining the Clippers as well, however, they can’t offer him very much money.

I get the feeling that Smith isn’t that worried about trying to win a title at this point and would much rather score a big paycheck. As of now, the Pacers, Kings, Grizzlies, Jazz and Pistons could all offer him more money.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go to a team like the Pacers or the Grizzlies or even the Kings. However, it will come down to what matters more, competing for a title or making as much money as possible.

Gilbert Arenas

Has Gilbert Arenas really regained his explosiveness and slimmed down? If so, why aren’t there more teams vying for his services?

Clearly it remains to be seen whether or not Agent Zero is back to his old form, but even if he’s half the player he once was, he might be able to help out a few teams, mainly the Lakers.

Being able to put Arenas in a Jason Terry-type of role could do wonders for the Lakers, but only if he really is capable of delivering.

While it seems like Steve Blake does a serviceable job backing up Derek Fisher, there’s no question that the team could use a scoring punch off the bench.

It’s not certain that an addition of Arenas would make the Lakers contenders again, but as Kobe Bryant said a few days ago, “I wouldn’t hurt.”