NBA Trade Rumors: Teams That Must Go All in for Dwight Howard Rental

The trade deadline, aka the "chance-to-get-Dwight-Howard" deadline, is creeping ever so close. It is now just one week away. It is becoming more and more clear what Orlando wants, a lot—even if it's just for a rental. According to CBSSports, Ken Berger,sb

"

Magic executives have continued to tell teams this week they do not intend to trade Dwight Howard, but several teams came away from the conversations with a clear picture of what the club wants if it changes course: a replica of the deal Denver pulled off last February for Carmelo Anthony, multiple league sources told CBSSports.com Thursday.  

...What Orlando is seeking if it makes a deal for the All-Star center is a package similar to what the Nuggets received for Anthony at the 2011 trade deadline: multiple good, young players and draft picks. Orlando executives view the Denver model as a middle ground between blowing up a contender and starting over with draft picks and reaching for veteran All-Stars whose contracts ultimately could hinder the recovery from a Howard trade. 

"

In other words, if you want Howard, it's not Orlando's concern if you are on his list or not. They want a 'Melo like haul regardless. If you want Howard, you are going to have to go all in.

There are some teams who have become stagnant. They aren't going anywhere with what they have. They've peaked. Worst-case scenario they give up their best talent to land Howard, he leaves, and they just step up the timetable a couple of years before they rebuild.

Best-case scenario, he stays. 

Teams that are rumored to be after him according to Berger are Houston, New Jersey, Golden State and Atlanta. 

Those teams are at various places in the standings as they are, but each has one thing in common. None of them are going to win a championship with what they have and none are just a piece away. 

Houston would have to send Kyle Lowry, who they are reluctant to deal because they envision building a team around him. Lowry is a nice piece, but he's not Dwight Howard. 

The Atlanta Hawks would have to send a package which included Al Horford and Josh Smith, but that pair hasn't brought a championship to Atlanta yet and they're most likely not going to in the future. 

Golden State needs to be open to sending anyone and everyone—that includes Stephen Curry and/or Monta Ellis. 

Then there is the New Jersey Nets, who have been unable to put together a package that the Magic have been intrigued by, which means it's time to up the ante and include MarShon Brooks, Brook Lopez and others. 

This is a bidding war now, and someone is going to go all in. The team that gets him is going to have to outbid the other teams. That's going to require going all in. 

Follow @KellyScaletta