Josh Howard for Andrea Bargnani?

While going through my morning ritual of reading up on basketball blogs, I came across a trade rumor that stuck out at me.

Hoopsworld.com is reporting that the Dallas Mavericks and the Toronto Raptors are in discussions to swap Josh Howard for former first pick Andrea Bargnani.

In all, the discussions around the trade would include the Mavericks sending Howard and either DaSagna (had to check three times how to spell that) Diop or Antoine Wright in exchange for Bargnani and Anthony Parker of the Raptors.

If Diop were to be included in the trade, the Raptors would have to include somebody else to balance the trade salary cap wise. My best estimate is that the trade would be Wright and Howard for Bargnani and Parker.

Outside of Nowitzki, Howard is the Mavericks' most tradeable asset, and because of his questionable off the court issues and a sub-Howardesque performance this year, he is the most likely to be prematurely moved.

I am very skeptical of this trade from the Mavericks' point of view. I believe the trade sounds as if the Mavericks are quickly jumping on making a move for the sake of making a move—never a good idea in professional sports. Do they really want to move a young former all-star for a poor man’s Dirk Nowitzki to line up opposite...Dirk Nowitzki?

Combining Bargnani with Nowitzki would bring you two seven-foot soft and poor defenders in your starting lineup, or most likely a sixth man off the bench in Bargnani’s case. Is that what you want? Trade one of your most valuable assets for a player who has potential but that potential is already on your team in Nowitzki.

In my opinion, two Nowitzkis playing together on the same team would not compliment each other as well as Howard and Nowitzki. Howard has been hampered by injuries all season, and I believe the injuries are more of the cause of his poor play than coaching or the point guard.

Don’t get me wrong, I still like the upside Bargnani has to offer.  I just do not believe the Mavericks are the best destination for his talents and, as seen in the past, Howard can be a fantastic sidekick to Dirk.

Bottom line, the Mavericks are in trouble for years to come. The Jason Kidd trade was a disaster with them having gotten rid plenty of young talent (Harris and first-round picks) for an aging veteran who probably won’t be resigned next season. The other players, outside of Howard, are mostly untradeable as their contracts are overbearing for the talents they possess.

In other words, I have no clue what the Mavericks should do with their team and I am happy I am not their GM or coach. The only thing I know is if you are trading Howard, it better be for the right player and I do not believe Bargnani is it.