NBA Trade Rumors: Why Magic Must Pair Josh Smith with Dwight Howard

Now that Dwight Howard has decided to stay with the Orlando Magic for another year, the Magic must start bringing in championship-level talent if they want Howard to stay past 2013. That’s where Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith comes in.

The combination of Smith and Howard on the Orlando front line would create so many mismatches and struggles for opposing defenses that Magic must do whatever it takes to make it happen.

The Magic were interested in Smith back in July when the Hawks were shopping him around. Now though, the Hawks co-owner has come out and stated that they aren’t looking to trade Smith.

I don’t blame them at all. Smith is one of the most versatile guys in the NBA. He is averaging 17.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and two blocks per game in what has become the best season of his career.

That type of versatility is exactly why the Magic need Smith and should offer Atlanta whatever they want on the roster except for Howard.

Together, Howard and Smith would make up the best frontcourt duo in the NBA other than Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol for the Los Angeles Lakers. If fact, they might be even better than those guys.

We all know what Howard is. He’s big, long, athletic and the best defensive big man in the NBA. Smith is a guy who can do a bit of everything, including operate on the outside to give Howard more room in the post to work.

No one else on the Magic team other than Howard has numbers that can at all compare to those of Smith.

Smith would also help the Magic become a much better defensive team, which is something they desperately need to do. Howard is a great defender, but it is ludicrous and a bit insulting to him to be the only guy out there who can defend.

Right now for the Hawks, Smith averages 7.6 defensive rebounds, two blocks and 1.5 steals per game. The other Magic players can’t contribute type of production.

Smith would also help on offense. His passing ability allows him to get the ball to open shooters and he averages two offensive rebounds per game, which is big when you add it to the 3.8 that Howard averages and the 3.7 that Ryan Anderson averages. Those could equate to a total of nearly 10 extra possessions per game.

Howard also needs help with taking the scoring ability off of his shoulders. Smith’s average of nearly 18 points per game would clearly help with that, and playing next to Smith would probably get Howard more easy points, as teams would not be able to double him as much.

Age is also important as to whether these two fit together. Howard was born on December 8, 1985 in the Atlanta, GA area. Smith was born on December 5, 1985 in the Atlanta, GA area.

Obviously, age isn’t an issue. In fact, these two went to preschool together and know each other extremely well. They’d be a perfect fit to team up and help push Orlando to championship contention.

The Magic need to get Josh Smith. It might be the only way to keep Howard in town past 2013.