NBA Trade Scenarios: Could Dwight Howard Go to the Knicks for Carmelo or Amar'e?
With a record of 40-38 and a playoff spot already locked up, the New York Knicks still have a lot to look forward to this season.
Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony have brought excitement back to Madison Square Garden, and the duo also will give the team a good chance to win any playoff series they are apart of.
This team still has flaws, but it will also be one of the more dangerous teams in the league once the playoffs begin in less than two weeks.
Still, it is never too early to start thinking about next season. Especially when it involves Dwight Howard, the league's premier center, possibly joining the Knicks sometime next season.
Acquiring Howard, however, will be very complicated for New York.
They already traded the majority of their young pieces to get Anthony this season, and don't have many young players left to offer Orlando, aside from Landry Fields.
The team also doesn't have many picks they could offer the Magic, either. Keep in mind that they needed to trade Anthony Randolph to Minnesota just to get the lone first-rounder they ended up sending to Denver in the 'Melo deal.
So, if the Knicks lack multiple draft picks and young talent, how could they possibly land the best big man in the game?
Well, they could trade Stoudemire or Anthony to Orlando. Trust me, it isn't as crazy as you may think.
Here are some reasons why a possible trade for Howard could happen, as well as some reasons why it might not happen.
Why a Trade Might Happen: The Magic May Be Forced to Trade Howard
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The Magic don't have to look very hard to find out what could happen if you don't trade the NBA's best big man before he hits free agency.
In 1996, after four years with Orlando, Shaquille O'Neal decided to leave the Magic and sign with the Lakers. Although they had some success in the following years, the franchise was never the same.
The Magic may face a similar situation as the Denver Nuggets did with Anthony this year: they know Howard likely won't sign with the team, meaning they would lose him for nothing if he walks in free agency.
So, regardless of their record at the trade deadline, Orlando could be forced to deal Howard in order to get some assets in return.
Not many teams would be able offer a better player than Stoudemire or Anthony, which means the Magic could consider the swap.
In return for Howard, they would receive an All-Star caliber player who could help the team continue to win. If the Magic were interested, the Knicks would likely be willing to add Landry Fields to the offer to get the deal done.
If Orlando senses that Howard has lost interest in remaining with the Magic long-term, they may have no other choice but to deal him.
Howard Would Be Interested in New York
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It is important to remember that any possible deal involving Howard would be contingent on him signing a long-term extension with the team trading for him.
The Knicks wouldn't trade valuable pieces for Howard if he only intended to play with them for a few months.
To be fair, Howard has stated in the past that he rather play with a team that was located in a warm-weather city. Obviously, New York City doesn't exactly fit that criteria.
But Howard, like so many other superstars, could be drawn by the allure of New York City and the big stage of Madison Square Garden. His personality would flourish in the big city.
He would also be teaming up with another superstar, as the Knicks would still have either Anthony or Stoudemire on their roster.
The Knicks Need a Center...Bad
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Stoudemire has had a superb season, averaging 25.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.
Before the Knicks traded for Anthony, you could have made a very good argument that no other player was as valuable to his team as Stoudemire was to the Knicks.
However, Amar'e tends to be exposed defensively when he is forced to play center.
He doesn't have the height or strength to hang with opposing centers, and he has also taken his fair share of bumps and bruises by playing against bigger, stronger players.
For all of the great things Stoudemire has done for the Knicks, the fact is that Howard is the superior player. And, as a bonus, Howard plays the position the the team has desperately needed for a while.
Why a Trade Might Not Happen: The Long-Term Health of Stoudemire
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Stoudemire signed with the Knicks for a number of reasons: great opportunity, great city and a lot of money, just to name a few.
However, another reason that doesn't get mentioned all that often is the fact that the Knicks were the only team willing to guarantee all five years and all $100+ million of the contract.
The Suns, as well as many other teams, were unwilling to guarantee the whole contract because they weren't confident that Amar'e could stay healthy for the next five years.
Stoudemire has had multiple surgeries in his career, including microfracture surgery. The Magic may not be willing to take a chance on Stoudemire staying healthy for the next four years.
The Knicks would probably rather trade Stoudemire over Anthony, so this could present a problem in the deal.
Loyalty
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Look, the NBA is a business. I know it. You know it. It's just a fact.
At the end of the day, the Knicks have to do what is best for their team, their organization and their fanbase. If they can improve their team, they can't hesitate to do so.
But something needs to be said of the loyalty the Knicks should and do feel towards Amar'e Stoudemire.
This past summer, Stoudemire made the first move before anyone else would.
Before Dywane Wade decided to stay in Miami. Before Chris Bosh decided to tag along. Before LeBron held his "decision." Before Carlos Boozer decided to head to Chicago. The list goes on.
But before all of that, Stoudemire said yes to the Knicks. He didn't know who, if anyone, would be joining him. Still, he said yes to the Knicks and embraced the challenge of bringing good basketball back to MSG.
It would be a slap in the face to Stoudemire if they turned around next season and traded him away. Although a better fit and a better long-term investment, the Knicks will feel less loyalty to Carmelo Anthony.
Howard May Not Be Available
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Just because Denver went ahead and traded away Anthony, and Utah decided to trade away Deron Williams, it doesn't mean the Magic have to trade Dwight Howard next season.
They could very well decide to hold on to him, trying to make another run at a championship, while using the final few months of the season to convince Howard to stay.
In order for a potential deal to happen, Howard must be available first. And that is no guarantee.
Success This Year
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Due to the fact that the Knicks will either be facing the Miami Heat or the Boston Celtics in the first round of this year's playoffs, they probably won't be making a deep postseason run.
However, if the Knicks decide to defend, and 'Melo and Amar'e play like the All-Star's they are, the Knicks do have a fighters chance.
Should they put it all together and make a deep run, the organization may feel like they have enough to win a championship if they add some other smaller pieces.
Stoudemire and Anthony are starting to develop a chemistry, and the Knicks might not want to mess that up.
In the End...
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When it is all said and done, I don't see this trade happening.
I'm not sure the Knicks would want to part with Anthony, mainly because I'm not sure how well Stoudemire and Howard could play together, and the Knicks may not want to find out.
I also have my doubts that the Magic would be interested in trade for Stoudemire, even though he has had an outstanding season.
His long-term health is still a major concern, and the Magic may want to look elsewhere for some younger players and multiple draft picks.
Dwight Howard being traded to the Knicks is possible, but not all that probable.
