Predicting What Every NBA Team Would Be Willing to Trade for Dwight Howard
The only person who knows whether or not Dwight Howard wants to play in Orlando for the 2012-13 season is Howard himself, and even that is relatively questionable at times.
With that being said, every team in the NBA would love to have his talents on their team, and while it's a completely unrealistic possibility for a number of teams, it's always fun to predict what teams would be willing to give up to get Dwight Howard.
Ahead are predictions of what every NBA team would be willing to trade for Dwight Howard—including a proposed trade via ESPN's trade machine.
All trades are based solely on speculation.
Atlanta Hawks: Johnson, Smith & 2012 No. 43 Pick
1 of 29Let's get things started with a two-for-one trade that would work out well for both the Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic.
The Hawks have proven they can't win an NBA title with Joe Johnson and Josh Smith as their franchise talent, which means it might be time to seriously pursue trading both players and their expensive contracts.
Howard for Johnson and Smith (with Turkoglu's contract thrown in) would be a blockbuster deal that could feasibly work out well for both teams involved.
Boston Celtics: Pierce, Johnson & 2012 No. 21 & 51 Picks
2 of 29The Boston Celtics are going to have a lot of hard decisions to make this offseason regarding the future of their franchise. While the Celtics don't have a lot of players under contract heading into the offseason, they do have enough players to lure Dwight Howard to Boston.
Paul Pierce is a staple of the Celtics franchise, but that doesn't mean he's untouchable. If the Celtics decide to move forward with Rajon Rondo as their franchise player, it could be time to put Pierce on the trade block, and that could be something that would garner the interest of the Magic.
By throwing in two draft picks and a developmental talent in JaJuan Johnson, a Magic/Celtics trade involving Dwight Howard looks that much more realistic of a possibility.
Brooklyn Nets: Next Four Years of Draft Picks
3 of 29In an unfortunate turn of events, the Brooklyn Nets are the one NBA team that realistically doesn't have anything to offer the Magic for Dwight Howard at this current time.
With only four players currently under contract heading into the offseason—pending Brook Lopez (qualifying offer) and Jordan Farmar (player option)—the Nets don't have nearly enough to offer the Magic for Dwight Howard.
If the Nets had to make a trade for Howard right now, their best hope would be to trade the Magic all of their draft picks for the next three or four years, and we all know that's not happening.
Charlotte Bobcats: Biyombo, Walker, Maggette & 2012 No. 2 Pick
4 of 29The thought of Dwight Howard playing for the Charlotte Bobcats next season is almost laughable. Primarily because D12 and his ego won't want to go there, but also because the Bobcats don't have enough to trade for him.
While the Bobcats have young talent like Kemba Walker, Gerald Henderson and Bismack Biyombo, it's not the kind of talent that the Bobcats can dangle in front of the Magic to lure them into trading Howard to their underwhelming team.
The Bobcats' only hope of acquiring Howard this offseason is by enticing the Magic with the No. 2 overall pick, but that's also unlikely to happen.
Chicago Bulls: Gibson, Boozer, Noah
5 of 29The Chicago Bulls have a few players on their team who are expendable in the trade market—Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson.
Trading away their entire frontcourt for Dwight Howard (and, again, Turkoglu's contract) might seem outlandish, but in all reality, the Bulls would be making a massive upgrade that would be worth the talent they would have to give up.
Trading for Howard might not be a priority for the Bulls this offseason, but if they decide to make a push for him, they certainly have the talent to do so.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Varejao, Thompson, Walton, 2012 No. 4 & 24 Picks
6 of 29While the Cavaliers don't have a lot of players that would garner a lot of interest on the trade block, they do have four 2012 NBA draft picks, and that's certainly enticing.
By trading Anderson Verejao and Tristan Thompson, the Cavaliers would be able to offer the Magic legitimate talent in return for Howard, and with the two draft picks thrown in, the Magic would be able to build for the future, which wouldn't be a bad direction for them to go.
It might be time for the Magic to just accept that Howard might not be their future, and if they do that, the Cavs' draft picks are the way to go.
Dallas Mavericks: Carter, Marion, Haywood 2012 No. 17 & No. 55 Pick
7 of 29Aside from Dirk Nowitzki, the Dallas Mavericks don't have a lot of talent on their roster to put on the trade block to garner any serious attention this offseason.
The Mavericks are more likely to make moves this offseason in free agency than on the trade block, but if they want to pursue Dwight Howard, their best option is to try and ship their best players out of Dallas.
Sending Vince Carter, Shawn Marion, Brendan Haywood and two draft picks to Orlando for D12 just won't cut it for the Magic, and that's not all that shocking.
Denver Nuggets: Mozgov, Gallinari, Harrington, 2012 No. 20 & 50 Picks
8 of 29Surprisingly enough, the Nuggets have a lot of value on their roster that they could put on the trade block to try and lure the Magic into dealing Dwight Howard to the city of Denver.
The prospect of sending away Danilo Gallinari, Al Harrington and two draft picks for Howard might not seem like a valuable trade for the Magic, but it might be one of the best offers they'll get this offseason.
With that being said, there are really no players on the Nuggets roster that are 100 percent safe from being placed on the trade block, especially when it comes to the possibility of trading for D12.
Detroit Pistons: Gordon, Prince, Jerebko, Daye, 2012 No. 9 Pick
9 of 29Unless the Magic are in the business of trading for overrated and aging talent, they shouldn't consider moving Howard to the Pistons because they just don't have enough to offer.
The Pistons have the overpriced contracts of Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva that they could trade to the Magic, but their contracts are just dead weight at this point. If the Magic want to get actual talent and value in return for Howard, they'll certainly need to look outside of Detroit.
Golden State Warriors: Lee, Biedrins, Thompson, 2012 No. 30 Pick
10 of 29The Golden State Warriors decided to send their franchise in a completely different direction when the traded away Monta Ellis this past season. What better way to follow that up than by trying to acquire Dwight Howard?
All of the players on the Warriors roster, aside from Stephen Curry and Andrew Bogut, are expendable. Trading away dominant players like David Lee and the up-and-coming Klay Thompson wouldn't be shocking.
The Warriors have a lot of youth and talent they can offer the Magic—in addition to enticing draft picks. If the Warriors want D12 this offseason, they might be one of the teams that can make a serious run at him.
Houston Rockets: Lowry, Scola, Parsons, 2012 No. 16 Pick
11 of 29The Houston Rockets actually have quite a bit to offer the Magic in exchange for Dwight Howard. With the future of Kyle Lowry in doubt in Houston, the Rockets would be wise to dangle him as trade bait for Howard.
There really aren't any players on the Rockets team that wouldn't be considered "untouchable" when it comes to involving them in a trade for Howard. If the Rockets decide to seriously pursue Howard this offseason, they might have enough talent and draft value to lure the Magic into moving him.
Indiana Pacers: Hibbert, Granger, George
12 of 29It would be quite odd if the Pacers decided to try and trade for Dwight Howard because it would incorporate them trading their current All-Star center—Roy Hibbert (assuming they re-sign him).
The Pacers certainly have a lot of talent on their roster that they could give up for Howard, like Danny Granger, Paul George and George Hill. But breaking up the chemistry they have on their roster would be an absolutely terrible idea, and it's something that they almost certainly won't do this offseason.
L.A. Clippers: Butler, Jordan, Gomes, Bledsoe
13 of 29Unless the Magic are interested in handing the Clippers Dwight Howard for next to nothing, then they won't even entertain this trade.
Not only do the Clippers not have any valuable picks in the 2012 draft, the best player they have to offer the Magic for one of the most complete centers in the game is a offensively inept center in DeAndre Jordan.
The Clippers just don't have enough to offer the Magic, there's no way around it.
L.A. Lakers: Bynum, World Peace, Gasol
14 of 29If the Lakers are serious about trading for Dwight Howard, they'll go all out and show that they are committed to the idea of him being the future of their franchise by trading both Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum for him.
If the Lakers want to help Kobe win his sixth NBA title, they'll go all out after Howard this offseason, and the best way to do that is by showing legitimate interesting by offering two of the best players on your roster.
I don't think the Lakers would have too hard of a time parting with Gasol and Bynum, as they haven't proven to be the dominant seven-foot tandem we all thought they would be.
Memphis Grizzlies: Gay, Gasol, Allen
15 of 29The Memphis Grizzlies could be a very talented team with the talent they have right now on their roster, and that's why it's highly unlikely that they'll even consider going after Howard this offseason.
To get Howard, the Grizzlies would have to give up quite a bit of talent. They would have to be willing to part with players like Marc Gasol and Rudy Gay, and while that would be an exciting deal for the Magic, it wouldn't really be in the Grizzlies' best interest.
Howard is an exciting player, though. It might just be worth it to try and see if this trade would work for the Grizz.
Miami Heat: Chalmers, Bosh, 2012 No. 27 Pick
16 of 29The Miami Heat are doing pretty well without a legitimate offensive center, and I'm sure they'll stay that way throughout the next few seasons to come.
With that being said, if the Heat had a chance to add Howard to their depth chart in exchange for Chris Bosh, Mario Chalmers and a late first-round draft pick, they'd be foolish not to do that. The Magic would be wise to consider a trade like this because it's the kind of franchise talent they need to get in return for D12 this offseason.
Milwaukee Bucks: Udrih, Gooden, Jennings, 2012 No. 42 Pick
17 of 29The Milwaukee Bucks created a ridiculously explosive backcourt when they traded for Monta Ellis this past season, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't be willing to split Ellis and Brandon Jennings up if they had a shot at trading for Dwight Howard.
The Bucks would have no problem sending away Jennings for Howard, the only problem is that they don't have much else to offer the Magic.
If the Magic don't get any legitimate offers for D12 this offseason, it might be smart for them to entertain the thought of trading him for Jennings and some other role players, because he might be the best player they can get for Howard.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Williams, Pekovic, J.J. Barea, 2012 No. 18 Pick
18 of 29Minnesota fans, don't hold your breath on the possibility of the Timberwolves trying to trade for Dwight Howard, because it's just not going to happen.
The Timberwolves don't have enough talent not named Love or Rubio to entice the Magic to deal D12 to them, and in all honesty, the Timberwolves have created an offensive system around Love that wouldn't suit the skill set of Howard.
While the young talent the T'Wolves have might be enticing at first glance for the Magic, they certainly won't entertain that speculated trade for long.
New Orleans Hornets: Okafor, Ariza, 2012 No. 1 Pick
19 of 29The New Orleans Hornets are prepared to start moving their franchise in a much younger, more competitive direction, and they're planning to do that with their two lottery picks in this year's draft.
With that being said, if the Hornets were able to exchange their future with Anthony Davis for a future with Dwight Howard, I'm sure they'd at least give some thought to it.
If the Hornets threw in their second lottery pick for Howard, the Magic would be foolish to not bite, as that might be the best offer they'll get for D12.
New York Knicks: Stoudemire, Chandler, 2012 No. 48 Pick
20 of 29The Amar'e Stoudemire experiment hasn't worked out according to plan in New York, which makes him a perfect player to put on the trade block in the Big Apple.
Unfortunately, the Knicks just don't have enough talent under contract right now to even consider making a move for Howard. The Knicks would have to fool the Magic into taking Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler for Howard, and that's just not going to happen.
With a sign-and-trade of Jeremy Lin, though, this could become more of reality.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Harden, Cook, Collison, Perkins, 2012 No. 28 Pick
21 of 29Could you imagine how good a starting lineup of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Thabo Sefolosha, Serge Ibaka and Dwight Howard could be?
While that lineup would be ridiculous to say the least, it's not likely to happen because the Thunder don't have enough talent that the Magic would be interested in. It would take an absolute miracle for the Magic to trade Howard for basically Kendrick Perkins, James Harden and a late first-round draft pick.
Sorry, Thunder; this just isn't going to happen.
Philadelphia 76ers: Iguodala, Young, Hawes, 2012 No. 15 Pick
22 of 29The 76ers are always entertaining the idea of trading away Andre Iguodala, so why not include him in a trade to bring Dwight Howard to Philadelphia?
This trade, assuming the 76ers could sign and trade Spencer Hawes, would give the Magic a lot of talent in return for a player who's under contract for just one more season.
While the 76ers aren't necessarily interested in D12, there's no doubt that they have a lot of young talent that could entice the Magic to consider trying to move Howard to the city of brotherly love.
Phoenix Suns: Gortat, Dudley, Childress, 2012 No. 13 Pick
23 of 29If the Suns think they have enough to entice Dwight Howard to play for them in the 2012-13 season, they'd absolutely be fooling themselves.
Even by giving up Marcin Gortat, Jared Dudley, Josh Childress (cap space) and their 2012 lottery pick, the Magic wouldn't be getting enough talent in return for their franchise player.
The problem for the Suns is that they just don't have any more talent to throw at the Magic, and that's why they won't have D12 on their team next season.
Portland Trail Blazers: Aldridge, Matthews, 2012 No. 11 & 40 Picks
24 of 29The Trail Blazers are in the same boat as quite a few other teams on this list. They're on the boat of teams that just don't have enough to entice the Orlando Magic, unless they're willing to give up all four of their 2012 NBA draft picks.
If the Blazers could have a legitimate chance at Howard, they would be foolish to not entertain the thought of trading away Aldridge. Howard is a more complete center and he's more of a franchise player than Aldridge currently is for the Blazers.
Giving up all that talent would only be worth it if D12 was wearing a Blazers jersey in the 2012-13 season.
Sacramento Kings: Evans, Salmons, Cousins, 2012 No. 36 Pick
25 of 29The Sacramento Kings are heading in the right direction as a franchise, and while they don't need Howard, it certainly would be nice to have him as the future of their franchise.
The Kings have a lot of young talent that, at times, can seem to be disgruntled with the franchise.
Sending away DeMarcus Cousins, Tyreke Evans and their No. 36 pick in the 2012 NBA draft would certainly be a deal that the Magic would take a second look at, as a new start for Cousins and Evans could jump-start their careers.
San Antonio Spurs: Ginobili, Splitter, 2013 First-Round Pick
26 of 29As long as the Spurs re-sign Tim Duncan this offseason, the likelihood of them pursuing Howard is extremely low.
With that being said, I wouldn't be shocked if the Spurs would be willing to finally part ways with Ginobili—as long as it led to Howard. Unfortunately for the Spurs, they just don't have enough to entice the Magic to trade away their franchise player.
With only a second-round pick in the 2012 draft, the Spurs don't even have any legitimate draft picks to throw around this year.
Toronto Raptors: DeRozan, Kleiza, Bargnani, 2012 No. 8 Pick
27 of 29The Toronto Raptors could certainly benefit from acquiring Howard this offseason, but the likelihood of that happening is about as likely as me playing for the Raptors one day.
The Raptors would certain be willing to give up their entire roster for Howard because they haven't been a solid team since Chris Bosh took his talents to South Beach. Bargnani and DeRozan for Howard isn't a bad swap, especially if they throw in their lottery pick.
Kleiza is thrown in there to help with the cap hit.
Utah Jazz: Favors, Harris, Burks, 2012 No. 47 Pick
28 of 29The Utah Jazz don't need to be in the mix for Dwight Howard because they already have one of the best frontcourts in the game, with Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Derrick Favors.
With that being said, if the Jazz wanted to trade for Howard, they probably wouldn't be willing to part with too much. Giving up Favors would be hard because he's such a high-caliber talent.
Trading away Harris would certainly be reasonable, but these three wouldn't be enough for the Magic to bite.
Washington Wizards: Nene, Lewis, 2012 No. 3 & 32 Picks
29 of 29The Wizards don't have that much to offer the Magic in return for Howard. That is, unless they're willing to throw both of their 2012 NBA draft picks into the mix.
The only problem here is that the Magic wouldn't really be upgrading with Nene at the center position, and they'd just be trading bad contracts by grabbing Lewis' contract.
The likelihood of D12 playing in a Wizards jersey next season is seriously slim-to-none.
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