How Dwight Howard Trade Affects the Cleveland Cavaliers

Remember when the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Richmond forward Justin Harper in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft?

Didn't think so.

After landing both Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson with the first and fourth overall selections, the Cavs selected Justin Harper with the No. 32 overall pick and abruptly traded him to Orlando in exchange for the Magic's second-round draft picks in 2013 and 2014.

At the time, the Magic were coming off a 52-30 regular season but were ousted in the first round of the playoffs by the Atlanta Hawks. They had noticeably declined from their 59-23 season and NBA Finals appearance from 2009, but with core players such as Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson under contract, the Magic were not in danger of becoming a lottery team any time soon.

As Cleveland fans can attest, much can change in one year.

If rumors of a Dwight Howard trade to the Brooklyn Nets are true, the Orlando Magic will be joining the Cavaliers as the latest team rebuilding thanks to its star player defecting to greener pastures.

According to Chris Broussard of ESPN:

"

The Nets and the Magic are discussing a trade that would send Howard to Brooklyn for Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks and the Nets' first-round draft picks in 2013, 2015 and 2017, sources said. Lopez and Humphries, who are both free agents, would go to Orlando in sign-and-trade deals.

"

If this deal goes down, the two draft picks acquired from Orlando in the Justin Harper deal could improve into the top ten of the second round.

Additional draft picks high in the second round are valuable assets for a rebuilding team hoping to improve their own draft position through trade or to add depth to a thin roster.

Dwight Howard's discontent may ultimately be a catalyst to the Cavs' own return to the NBA elite.