NBA Free Agency: Will Chris Paul Join Dwight Howard in Orlando in 2012?
Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic are fighting for their playoff lives against the Atlanta Hawks right now, and yet another season of failing to live up to expectations seems inevitable.
Orlando has tried several different players and roster combinations since their 2009 NBA Finals appearance, and none have helped them to make a return appearance.
The 2012 free agent class is shaping up to be quite a nice collection of available talent. Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Dwight Howard are among the star players who may switch teams after the 2011-12 season.
With each loss this postseason, Magic fans are thinking that a Howard exit from Orlando may be a real possibility.
Orlando has already experienced the loss of a dominant center via free agency in recent history. Shaquille O'Neal left Orlando to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers after the 1996 season, just one year after he led the Magic to the 1995 NBA Finals.
One of Orlando's major weaknesses in the Howard era is their lack of a real all-around point guard, someone who can score, pass and play exceptional perimeter defense.
Current Magic starting point guard Jameer Nelson is a good player, but he won't lead your team to an NBA title.
Nelson can score a bit, but he's not an exquisite passer, and at times, he's a defensive liability.
If Paul were to join the Magic via free agency, along with Howard re-signing, the Magic would have the two best players at their respective positions in the NBA.
The point guard and center spots are the two most important positions in the NBA. Every great team has a man to start the offense and someone to defend the paint.
The Magic just built a beautiful new arena for the future, and they need stars to fill it.
They must learn from Shaq's departure in the 1990s.
Magic fans watched their former star win three titles with the Los Angeles Lakers while their team made occasional appearances in the playoffs, never threatening for a title.
Paul and Howard would be a great tandem. Any point guard can throw an alley-oop, but Paul will be able to consistently shoot from the outside and can also drive to the basket and score.
Paul's passing ability will be a huge upgrade over the Magic's current playmaking. Paul is very dangerous in the open floor and will be able to operate the offense just as efficiently in the half-court.
Dwight Howard might not like how the Magic are playing right now, and I can't blame him.
General manager Otis Smith has made too many moves that have hurt Orlando's team chemistry, and many of the moves acquired players who do not play defense.
If Howard really wants to stay in Orlando, he won't have trouble recruiting players.
With Howard, the Magic are a title contender, and they play in a brand new arena in a yearlong warm-weather city.
The Magic's future may not look good right now, but if Howard wants to commit to Orlando's future, he will have little trouble recruiting talent to build a perennial winner.
Nicholas Goss is an Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Bruins Featured Columnist, follow him on Twitter
