NBA Free Agency: Dwight Howard to Brooklyn Is Still on the Table

The Nets may have gone all-in with guards Deron Williams and Joe Johnson, but they're still considering the possibility of completing the legendary trio by trading for Orlando center Dwight Howard.

The Magic have requested that Brooklyn send them Brook Lopez, MarShon Brooks, Kris Humphries, and three future first-round picks—likely 2013, 2015, and 2017—in return for D12, according to ESPN and league sources.

The trade, however, isn't close to being completed. Given the amount Orlando wants in return, the Nets will likely try to find a third or even fourth team to help facilitate the deal.

The signings of Gerald Wallace and Deron Williams along with the trade for Johnson seemingly put these rumors to bed. Now, however, it seems that Brooklyn is still determined to put together a Miami-like Big Three involving Howard, D-Will and JJ. Well, technically, it would be a Big Four because of Wallace.

If this blockbuster deal goes through, the Nets will—at least on paper—have one of the top four teams in the East right away. If they can gel quickly, they could even challenge Miami for the best record in the conference.

Unfortunately for them, it will take a lot of negotiating to finish the trade. As it stands, other likely teams for Howard could be Dallas, Houston, which is in position to offer a bevy of draft picks, and Atlanta, which would offer Jeff Teague and possibly Al Horford to pair D12 up with power forward Josh Smith.

The Lakers are the front-runner now, however, with the enticing trade chip of Andre Bynum at their disposal.