NBA Trade Rumors: Nets Will Be Wise to Wait for Dwight Howard to Hit Free Agency

In their long efforts to trade for Dwight Howard, the New Jersey Nets have arrived at the best possible scenario to acquire him: They will add him in free agency. 

The Nets have reportedly cut off communications with the Magic about Howard, and the Magic are holding onto the hope that they can re-sign Howard. 

It is the second part of that which allows for the best scenario for the Nets. More on why in a moment, but first let's tackle the rumors. 

The Rumors

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports brings us up to speed on the inner thought process of those involved in this scenario:

"

Yes, the Nets are still Howard’s desired destination, but GM Billy King still hasn’t had a substantive conversation with Smith lately. Orlando has made it clear to everyone that it’s a buyer to find help for Howard, not a seller. 

The Nets believe they have a clear path to sign Howard in free agency this summer, and still hold onto Brook Lopez to play alongside him. 

"

Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger has recent quotes from Nets general manager Billy King, which support the notion that they are working towards clearing cap space and not trading Lopez for Howard:

"

"But at the end of the day, I want a healthy Brook Lopez and (don’t want to) worry about making trades at this point in regards of moving Brook Lopez. It’s about trying to add to this team.’’

King said he will “look at other things that I was already talking about doing with other teams’’ before the deadline.

“I had some things on the table that I’m exploring that will maybe create more cap space for us in the future—maybe bring some more players or some key pieces as we go forward,’’

"

What the Nets do is really the easy part for them. The risk here comes from banking on Dwight hitting free agency. However, things are looking up for them in this regard. We have the above quote by Wojnarowski about the Magic not wanting to trade Dwight, as well as this report by Brian Schmitz, an Orlando Magic Insider for the Orlando Sentinel:

"

A person close to Dwight Howard tells me, "We want to work it out (in Orlando)." Take it for what it's worth.

— Brian Schmitz (@MagicInsider) March 6, 2012"

Why This is the Best Scenario for Nets

Dwight can say he wants to work it out with the Magic all he wants, but he has flip-flopped on this enough to for us know that he is far from guaranteeing he will return to Orlando. 

What this is going to do is make it far more likely that the Magic will not trade him. And at that point, Dwight's path to hit the free-agent market instantly opens up. 

That is when the Nets will be able to launch a full-court press to land Howard. They can start talking to their own free agent-to-be Deron Williams and make a pitch to both of them that the best destination is right there in New Jersey. 

The chance to play together will be enticing for both players, and they will know they also have promising young player Lopez waiting to join them. 

That would be an offer Dwight Howard couldn't refuse.