Dwight Howard to the Miami Heat: Five Ways That It Could Happen

Patience is a virtue and silence is golden.

Everywhere except in Orlando, that is.

Dwight Howard lost patience with the situation in Disney World and, after requesting a trade from the team prior to the 2011-2012 season, was unable to keep quiet about it.  After each practice and game, Howard's next home was the topic of discussion--and discuss it he did.  This ugly situation swirled like a plague of locusts around the team's season and went from ugly to Medusa, with Howard getting stuck with a stony grin when asked about his attempts to get his coach fired.

At times he wanted to go , and, at others, he wanted to stay.

In the midst of his on-again, off-again love affair with the Magic, Howard even made passes at the girl next door, expressing interest in playing for intrastate rival the Miami Heat, in March.

Howard may not be too good at making up his mind, but he's definitely smart enough to know that the only way he'd be able to move into the American Airlines Arena, would be for someone else to move out. With questions about the Big Three and the Heat's roster needs growing louder in the midst of Miami's playoff run, and rumors that Howard still wants out, despite Monday's firing of Stan Van Gundy and "agreeable release" of GM Otis Smith, could the table really be set for Howard to take the cape to South Beach?  There's no questioning what Howard would mean to the Heat.

The only real question is how, if at all, can it happen?

Here are 5 ways that it can.

Trade Scenario No. 1: Two Team Trade Between Miami and Orlando

One of the first guys to come to the Heat during the free agency bonanza of 2010 could be the first out of town. Both Wade and Bosh's names have been floated as possible trade bait for the upcoming off season, but would the Magic accept one or the other in exchange for Howard?  

A deal of Wade for Howard is one that the Magic would jump into with both feet.  The team has made it clear that they are not interested in rebuilding and wants to continue to put a competitive product on the floor for Magic fans.  Drudging through a season of empty seats in the new, $480 million Amway Center is hardly a dream scenario for the Magic.  Wade would keep fans in the seats with his exciting brand of play. Despite recent questions, when healthy, Wade is, without question, a top 5 player and would keep the Magic in the playoff race.

Bosh could be a bit of a harder sell.  While a good player with a proven track record in Toronto of being able to serve as a team's first option, Bosh's reputation has taken a (somewhat undeserved) beating from time-to-time during the past two seasons.  Chris has proven, however, at the most timely of moments in Miami, that his game has not abandoned him and that he may even have advanced some aspects.  He may not be Howard, but Bosh is still a top 30 player and with what the Magic already have, they would still be a playoff team with a solid foundation to build on.

If the Magic want to keep things simple and get a proven commodity for Howard, this could be the way to go.

Trade Scenario No. 2: Three Team Trade Between Miami, Orlando and the LA Lakers

This deal has been discussed for the better part of a year now, minus the Heat. Pau Gasol has essentially played his way out of Tinsel Town and will almost certainly be shipped out this summer. Why would the Lakers and Magic not do this deal straight up?

Well, this is where Howard has leverage.

One reason that many teams would not offer packages for Howard last season was because he had already made it clear that he would only consider extending his contract with certain teams. It worked like a charm, as only the Golden State Warriors were willing to take a chance on Howard with no long term commitment coming in. If Howard maintains the same stance, he could basically force his way down to South Beach with the Lakers' assistance. Here's the trade:

MIA gets:

• C, Dwight Howard

LAL gets:

• F, Chris Bosh

ORL gets:

• F/C Pau Gasol

This deal works for all parties. The Heat get Howard, the Lakers get a younger, talented scoring forward in Bosh for their roster shake up and the Magic get Gasol, who is used to carrying a team from his days in Memphis and would be an excellent fit with all the shooters the Magic put on the floor.  It's a win for everyone, but whether or not it gets done would basically be up to Howard.

Trade Scenario No. 3: Three Team Trade Between Miami, Orlando and N.Y.

You have to feel just a little sorry for Amare Stoudemire. Just a season ago, his Knicks were flourishing and he was having an MVP level season. Then the Knicks gave away half of the team for Carmelo Anthony and things have been haywire ever since.  A change of scenery could be in order and fellow All-Star Dwight Howard could be just the man to facilitate it.

MIA gets:

• C, Dwight Howard

N.Y. gets:

• F, Chris Bosh

ORL gets:

• F/C Amare Stoudemire

This trade is a big win for all if Orlando is willing to take the risk on Stoudemire's uninsured contract. Howard gets his locker next to LeBron and New York actually gets an upgrade for their system because Bosh's game is more diverse and he's a better defender. In addition, he typically stays healthier than Stoudemire does and knows from his time in South Beach how to adjust his game to playing with a big-time scorer like Anthony. Meanwhile, Orlando could get the old Amare Stoudemire. The one who is the focal point of the offense and was averaging a double double (26 and 10) early in the 2010-2011 season. The team would be in playoff contention and would have a legit star to market to fans.  

This deal could bring a smile to the face of everyone involved.

Trade Scenario No. 4: Three Team Trade Between Miami, Orlando and the L.A. Clippers

This trade scenario is one that gives the Orlando Magic a chance to change their minds about a youth movement. Although the team wants to stay relevant with an established vet, this move would provide players in spots that prove to be the most difficult for most clubs to fill--center and point guard.

MIA gets:

• C, Dwight Howard

LAC gets:

• F, Chris Bosh

ORL gets:

• C, DeAndre Jordan
• G, Eric Bledsoe
• G, Nick Young
• 1st Round Draft Pick

This is a package that Orlando would at least have to consider. This move would bring youth and talent to the point guard and center positions. Meanwhile, shooting guard Young could provide scoring, 3-point shooting and give the Magic flexibility to trade (well, try to trade anyway.  Good luck) one of their older guards (Duhon, Redick,Q or J Richardson...you pick). Meanwhile the Clippers get an interesting piece in Bosh who provides another weapon that the team obviously needed in their playoff series against the Spurs. Griffin could move to the center, giving the Clips a young and loaded front court and another way to woo Griffin and guard Chris Paul into resigning. If the Magic decide to build for the future, this deal gives them the best opportunity.

Trade Scenario No. 5: Three Team Trade Between Miami, Orlando and Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets have flirted with Dwight Howard for so long that it would be ashamed for them to end up with nothing at all to show for it. This deal may not land them Howard, but it would land Howard in South Beach and spread some sunshine the Nets' way, as well:

MIA gets:

• C, Dwight Howard

BKN gets:

• F, Chris Bosh

ORL gets:

• C, Brook Lopez
• G, MarShon Brooks
• G, Anthony Morrow
• Draft Picks

This is pretty much the same deal that has always been on the table, but if Howard changes his mind on Brooklyn (which, with Howard, is always possible) they should absolutely push for this deal to get done if it would land them Chris Bosh.  He would give the Nets a chance to retain point guard Deron Williams, pairing him with Bosh to open the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Meanwhile the Magic get a little of everything, to include an established center in Lopez, a young scorer in Brooks and a dead-eye shooter in Morrow to go along with youth from the draft picks. With these pieces, Orlando could be back in the thick of things in no time. This is the most diverse package, offering a little of everything. After all this time, it could still end up being the one they choose and that lands Superman a little further south.