Dwight Howard: Top 5 Trade Options for the Orlando Magic
While the Orlando Magic may be loathed if they trade the best big man in the game, Toronto and Cleveland could tell them the price an organization pays for not moving their superstar before losing him to free agency.
These are five trade options that Orlando should pursue. While none of them can really return equal value, each is better than losing Howard for nothing.
5. Dwight Howard for Deron Williams and Brook Lopez
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While on the surface this may not seem like a great deal for either side, there are some pros that make it both plausible and practical.
For the Magic, this would give them possibly the best point guard in the NBA, paired with a young big man who is becoming a very good NBA player. Surrounding those two with the above-average wing players that the Magic have would make Orlando a dangerous team in the East. It would also solidify their lineup long-term, assuming that Deron Williams would be happy in Orlando and sign an extension.
While this may seem like a cop-out for the Nets, it is essentially just the opposite. They have made no secret of the fact that their original plan was to unite Chris Paul, Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony on their team and this would get them one of those three pieces with the financial flexibility to go after Paul and, say, an Andre Iguodala in the offseason.
Combining Paul and Howard would make the Nets scary-good, no matter who they surround them with.
4. Dwight Howard, Daniel Orton for Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert
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While the Magic would surely cringe at trading Dwight Howard in-conference, this would be a deal too good to pass up.
The salaries pretty much match and the talent influx would be fairly significant. Granger is a legit scoring 3 (which the Magic desperately need) and Hibbert is a big who is slowly but surely learning to be a star. Both are young and hungry and are willing defenders.
This move would set up the Magic to play Jason Richardson at the 2 exclusively, which is where he is most effective.
For the Pacers, this move would give them their first superstar face of a franchise since Reggie Miller retired. Pairing Dwight Howard with the speed this team has on the perimeter would give role players such as Tyler Hansbrough the opportunity to blossom and would cement the Pacers as a team that could hold its own with Chicago, Boston and Miami in the East.
3. Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and D. Orton for Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins
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While this trade would not fortify Orlando's need for interior scoring, it would provide a volume scorer and a defensive stopper in the paint.
Combining Monta Ellis' ability to create his own shot with the wealth of shooters Orlando already has would give the Magic a potent scoring ability. While Biedrins is not as physically intimidating as Howard, he is a sneaky-good shot-blocker and rebounder.
While Orlando would not be as good as it is now, they would be young and would gain flexibility to build in just two years.
For Golden State, this would do a wealth of good. It would provide Stephen Curry the opportunity to move off the ball and do what he does best—shoot. Combining Howard's defensive and rebounding ability with David Lee's offensive prowess would make Golden State a scary team in the West. Daniel Orton would be a throw-in to make the salaries work.
*2. Dwight Howard and Gilbert Arenas for Brandon Roy and Lamarcus Aldridge
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There's an asterisk beside this one because it's a huge gamble for both sides, but it could pay the biggest dividends.
With this deal, Orlando would be getting a power forward who is quietly one of the best in the game and has the upside to legitimately take that title. Aldridge can score, defend and rebound and has been taught well by a great coach. He would thrive in Stan Van Gundy's drive-and-dish system and would be a great fit with Brandon Bass doing the dirty work.
Brandon Roy is the pure perimeter creator and scorer Orlando has long coveted. If he can return healthy to his previous level of play, he could lead Orlando to the top of the Eastern Conference.
This deal would significantly help the Blazers compete with the size of the Western Conference. Paired with Andre Miller and Portland's athletic wing players, Dwight Howard would help restore the Blazers to the Western elite. If Gilbert Arenas were able to come back to full health, he would provide instant offense for the defensive-minded Blazers.
This move could be a huge win for both sides, but could also come crashing down as a waste for each team if either guard had health issues.
1. Dwight Howard and Chris Duhon for Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom
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This move would benefit both clubs immensely.
Orlando would receive a young big man on the rise with a superstar ceiling. Efficient both defensively and offensively, Bynum would be an ideal replacement for Howard. Adding Odom to the rotation at the 4 with Bass and Anderson would give Stan Van Gundy scary possibilities, like a frontline of, say, Bynum, Bass, and Odom with Nelson and Jason Richardson at the guards. Wow.
The Lakers would receive the best big man in the game and a perfect complement to pair with Pau Gasol. Howard would take defensive pressure off of Gasol and allow him to do what he's best at—score.
Also, as Kobe begins the twilight of his career, the Lakers could rebuild around Gasol and Howard—a dominant combo. Duhon would essentially be a salary throw-in that would eat minutes at point guard if needed.
