Dwight Howard: Dallas Mavericks Should Wait Until Next Year to Pursue All-Star

The Dallas Mavericks are the latest team to be involved in trade talks to acquire Dwight Howard, but the club will be better off if it waits until next year.

Fox Sports Southwest reports that general manager Donnie Nelson met with Orlando GM Rob Hennigan last week to discuss the potential move.

While this acquisition would please fans, it is not the correct move.

Howard is on the market because he is in the last year of his contract and said that he will not re-sign with the Magic. However, his agent, Dan Fegan, told ESPN's Ric Bucher that his client "fully intends to explore free agency at the end of next season, regardless of what team trades for him."

In this case, why would Dallas risk sending away young talent and draft picks for a player that might only be with the team for one season?

There is no question that the Mavericks need immediate help, and Howard would dramatically improve the team. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year would be a force down low and would allow Dirk Nowitzki to move to the perimeter where he excels.

However, it is much more important to focus on the long-term situation. After winning the NBA Championship in 2011, there is less pressure to go all out to win now. Instead, the team needs to build a roster that can stay a perennial contender.

Last week, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! tweeted that the Mavericks will be able to sign the center during free agency.

"

If Howard gets to free agency in '13 without having been traded to Nets or Lakers, Dallas is overwhelming favorite to sign him, sources say.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 26, 2012"

With this being a possibility, the Mavericks can keep the team together along with all of its draft picks and instead try to sign the All-Star in 2013. A long-term deal for a great player in his prime should make the team feel much more confident about the future than a rental.

Even if the Mavs cannot sign him, they will still have the pieces they would have lost in a potential trade.

Dallas will almost certainly not be a realistic contender next season without Howard, but a little bit a patience will put the team in the running for many more titles. 

In the long run, this will be the best move for the franchise. 

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