NBA News, Trade and Free Agency Rumors Roundup

Dwight Howard is the lynch-pin on which nearly all potential NBA trades seem to hinge.

Bleacher Report’s resident NBA GM, Joel C. Cordes, has the latest news and rumors, and it all starts with the Orlando Magic’s franchise cornerstone.

The Magic are feverishly trying to get some help for their big man. That suddenly makes Monta Ellis from the Golden State Warriors and Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns into hot options.

The New Jersey Nets can’t move forward with their plans until they know whether Howard is their’s. If he’s not coming, then they need to swap Deron Williams for some assets, lest they lose him for nothing in the offseason.

The Los Angeles Lakers used to be the hot destination for Howard, but that seems to have cooled noticeably.

It’s unclear just what the Lakers’ next move is: They continue to shop Pau Gasol while also keeping Andrew Bynum in the mix. Yet, they’ve also supposedly turned down acquiring Michael Beasley from the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Boston Celtics also appear to be in limbo. Rajon Rondo’s name has been floating all year long, and now Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and even Paul Pierce no longer seem untouchable.

Half the league seems hot for Chris Kaman, but who can swap for his huge contract straight up? Keep your eyes on Cleveland’s Ramon Sessions, Atlanta’s Kirk Hinrich, Milwaukee’s Beno Udrih and Steven Jackson and the Mav’s Shawn Marion.

With the March 15 trade deadline looming, there will be a flurry of action, but NBA GM’s are hoping that Dwight Howard’s fate is decided sooner than later.

Most dominoes can’t fall until the biggest one does

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