NBA Rumors: Nets' Weak Assets Will Prevent Trade for Dwight Howard

The New Jersey Nets are one of a few teams that have the best chance of landing Dwight Howard before the NBA trade deadline, but when realistically viewing their trade pieces, the Orlando Magic would have to be insane to pull the trigger on a deal. 

Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov told the New York Post that he has a backup plan if they're unable to acquire Howard. 

"If you have Plan B and Plan C, you’re all the time relaxed,” Prokhorov said.

This is certainly true, and one would think that the backup plan is to wait to sign Howard in free agency, but since the Dallas Mavericks will be making a strong push for that as well, New Jersey is better off trying to trade for Howard before the March 15 deadline. 

Unfortunately, the Nets' tradeable assets aren't enough to land the NBA's best center. 

If the Magic actually trade Howard for what the Nets would offer, they should probably be checked for mental problems. 

Draft picks aren't enough when paired with Brook Lopez and Marshon Brooks—or even additional pieces from other teams. 

Brooks has a bright future ahead of him, but Lopez's recent injuries greatly diminish his value. What's more, none of the Nets' picks would guarantee the Magic a top selection.

New Jersey's best chance to land Howard is via free agency, but other teams will be just as enticing—if not more—to Howard this summer, which is why the Nets must push for a trade. 

It's a tough dilemma the Nets face, especially when considering their trade assets are not the best to work with. They'll have to hope the Magic are crazy to say yes to a trade involving anything the Nets would offer. 

Prokhorov's team doesn't possess the proper resources to trade for Howard, so he better hope his multiple backup plans work out.