Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: 5 Trades to Entice Him to Stay with Orlando Magic

Almost all talk about Dwight Howard has been centered around his trade request.  Howard has not been shy when it comes to his desire to play in a bigger market, but Orlando management still believes that they can convince Howard to sign an extension. 

The odds of Howard doing so with the current Magic roster are not good.  If Orlando wants to keep Howard (which they do) they need to bring in players that would convince Howard that the Magic can contend. 

Here are seven players they could try to acquire.

Devin Harris

Who the Magic get: Devin Harris, C.J. Miles and Josh Howard.

Who the Jazz get: Jameer Nelson and J.J. Redick.

Why the Magic do it: Howard may not think that the Magic can win a title with Nelson running the point (they did make it to the Finals while Nelson was out with an injury), so bringing in a new point guard may intrigue him. C.J. Miles gives them a scoring swingman off the bench.

Why the Jazz do it: The Jazz have been looking to move Harris, so swapping him for Nelson makes sense (unless they have really high hopes for Earl Watson).  Redick gives them a good shooter to help spread the floor, who might would also become a fan favorite in Utah (ex: Kyle Korver, Gordan Giricek, Jeff Hornacek)...do you see where I'm headed with this?

Monta Ellis and Mo Williams

Who the Magic get: Monta Ellis and Kwame Brown (from Golden State) and Mo Williams (from Los Angeles).

Who the Clippers get: Jason Richardson (from Orlando) and Ekpe Udoh (from Golden State).

Who the Warriors get: Jameer Nelson, J.J. Redick, and Ryan Anderson (from Orlando), and Brian Cook (Los Angeles).

Why the Magic do it: The Magic get a budding star in Ellis, one of the best pure scorers in the league.  Mo Williams is a savvy veteran who can run the point, distributing the ball to Howard and Ellis, and shoot the 3-ball.  Kwame Brown (expiring contract) is just six fouls to bring off the bench.

Why the Clippers do it: The Clippers swap Williams for 'J-Rich, an explosive veteran who can also shoot the three. Richardson can take Chauncey Billups' place at shooting guard.  Udoh is another big to come off the bench.

Why the Warriors do it: Golden State loses a proven scorer in Ellis but gets back several good players to make up for his loss.  Nelson is a pure point, allowing Stephen Curry to move over to shooting guard, Redick and Anderson are shooters who can come off the bench and spread the floor, 

Stephen Jackson and Chris Kaman

Who the Magic get: Stephen Jackson and Beno Udrih (from Milwaukee), and Chris Kaman (from New Orleans).

Who the Bucks get: Hedo Turkoglu and Ryan Anderson (from Orlando).

Who the Hornets get: Jameer Nelson and Quentin Richardson (from Orlando).

Why the Magic do it: The Magic bring in Jackson, who apparently wants to team with with Howard (or maybe it's vice versa).  Kaman is a talented center to back up Howard, who also comes off the books at the end of the year.  Udrih is a decent point guard who would take over for Nelson.

Why the Bucks do it: The Bucks really want to be rid of Jackson.  Orlando could dangle Ryan Anderson to entice the Bucks to take Turkoglu, who they could amnesty later.

Why the Hornets do it: The Hornets are trying to drum up interest for potential owners, and are considering moving Kaman so their younger bigs can develop.  Nelson would give the Hornets a point guard to build around and Richardson would probably be waived.

Steve Nash

Who the Magic get: Steve Nash and Hakim Warrick.

Who the Suns get: Jameer Nelson, Ryan Anderson, and J.J. Redick.

Why the Magic do it: Nash is 38 years old but is still playing at a high level.  He'd be a great compliment to Howard with his amazing passing ability and consistent shooting.  Warrick would be an extra big to bring off the bench.

Why the Suns do it: The Suns replace Nash with the younger Nelson and bring in two young pieces in Anderson and Redick.  Anderson would be a nice compliment to Gortat, but would also make Channing Frye expendable (they could move Frye in a later trade).  Redick would give the Suns a good, natural shooting guard, which they've lacked this year.

Rajon Rondo

Who Orlando gets: Rajon Rondo and Jermaine O'Neal (from Boston).

Who Boston gets: Andre Miller and Chris Andersen (from Denver), and J.J. Redick and a first-round pick (from Orlando).

Who Denver gets: Jameer Nelson and Earl Clark (from Orlando).

Why the Magic do it: The Magic replace Nelson with Rondo, one of the top points in the league and a good friend of Howard.  O'Neal won't be asked to contribute much (no worries of that) and will come off the books at season's end.

Why the Celtics do it: The Celtics are reportedly actively shopping Rondo and are trying to get some good pieces back.  Instead of getting a star, they get three good players who can contribute right away (and a pick in the draft).  Boston apparently thinks the drop-off between Rondo and Avery Bradley isn't much, so they'll look to give him extensive playing time.  Miller can provide Boston with a savvy veteran to come off the bench or start while Bradley continues to develop.  Redick can come off the bench and spread the floor, while "Birdman" Andersen helps bolster the Celtics weak frontcourt.

Why the Nuggets do it: Denver is apparently looking to move Miller (unhappy with his back-up role) and Andersen (not sure why).  They'd bring back a good point guard in Nelson (to back up Ty Lawson) who could be used in a later deal to acquire a power forward.  Clark gives them another young body off the bench.