NBA Trade Rumors: Dwight Howard Holding Up League-Wide Trades

The NBA Trade Deadline is rapidly approaching and with playoff teams trying to improve their lineups, general managers are trying to make moves. However, it appears that one of the biggest trade chips in the NBA, Dwight Howard, is holding up the league from starting to move players around. 

From Yahoo! Sports Marc J. Spears, who spoke with one NBA general manager who expressed what the league is going through right now just days before the deadline saying:

"

“Dwight is holding up the league trade-wise right now,” one general manager said. “Everyone has crazy ideas here and there. But teams are reluctant to make a trade until something happens there.”

"

Howard has been rumored to be headed to a number of teams. He gave the Orland Magic front office a list of teams that he would like to be traded too. That list included: New Jersey, Los Angeles (Lakers) and Dallas. 

Plus, there were the dark horse teams that were rumored to have made demands for Howard: Chicago, Houston and Golden State. 

But, from that same Yahoo! piece a general manager from the western conference does not think there will be many trades during the deadline and an executive from the east said:

"

“I’d be surprised if we see a lot of deals,” one Western Conference executive said. “In a short season, you can survive another 30 games and start talking trade to teams during the draft lottery.”

Said an East exec: “A playoff or playoff-hopeful team might do something to get them over the hump. But even if you have a problem guy, you don’t have to wait that long for the season to be over. It’s always hard to predict.”

"

If Howard is moved it will be the biggest deal during the deadline. However, from what it looks like, because of Howard’s impending free agency, teams are looking at him as the example of being gun-shy when March 15th comes. 

Howard is enticing, but, his particular desires for where he plays next year and the return package for him are holding up potential deals. 

But, when and if Howard is traded it will set off a domino effect in the NBA. It will open the flood gates as NBA general managers will be more open to trading their future for a “win-now” mentality. 

Follow @tjmcaloon