NBA Trade Rumors: Brooklyn Nets Make Wise Move to Keep Dwight Howard Dream Alive

The Brooklyn Nets are in the midst of one of the best offseasons since the Miami Heat landed LeBron James and Chris Bosh back in 2010. They have signed Gerald Wallace and Deron Williams and traded for Joe Johnson.

Now they just need to figure out a way to swing a deal for Dwight Howard to complete an absolutely epic summer.

However, the organization is aware that it is much easier said than done, and has backup plans in place. Fortunately, these are also geared towards a possible deal for DH12.

According to Tim Bontemps of the New York Post, the Nets and Bosnian PF Mirza Teletovic are getting close to a deal that will both add depth and free the team up to still pursue Howard.

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A league source said the Nets and Teletovic were nearing an agreement to sign the Bosnian power forward for three years for the $3.09 million “mini” mid-level exception, as opposed to signing him for the full $5 million mid-level as originally reported.

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Having Teletovic take the mini MLE is key because it does not put Brooklyn over the $74 million hard cap. Since they aren’t at that figure—and they would have been if the Spanish league standout had not taken the $3.09 million mini—the franchise can still send out a package for Howard.

Considering that Dwight makes nearly $20 million next season, it’s still going to be hard for the Nets to figure out a way to maneuver his contract onto their books while offering an attractive enough deal to the Magic.

Even if the Magic choose not to ship Howard over to Brooklyn, the Nets will still have some money to offer another impact free agent or swing a sign-and-trade for a different star.

The Teletovic signing is a win-win situation that has netted the franchise depth and cap flexibility going forward.