NBA Trade Scenarios: 10 Deals That Would Convince Magic to Trade Dwight Howard
Orlando Magic General Manager Otis Smith has recently made it clear that he expects multiple teams will contact him in an attempt to try and trade for Dwight Howard before next February's trade deadline, if not sooner. To this point, he has repeatedly said such a deal won't be happening.
However, once Smith and the rest of the organization realize that Howard likely won't re-sign with the franchise long-term, they may be forced to reconsider. As we saw with the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets this year, it is better to get some value rather than no value at all.
So, let the trade speculation begin.
Here are 10 deals that would probably change Otis Smith's mind and convince the Magic to trade their coveted superstar.
Lakers: Andrew Bynum, Shannon Brown and Picks for Howard
1 of 10
It has been widely speculated that if Howard decides he does not want to sign an extension with the Magic, the Los Angeles Lakers would be No. 1 on his list of teams to play for.
Dwight Howard is one of the best players we have in the NBA, but he is more than just a great basketball player; he is an entertainer. What better place is there for an entertainer to go than Hollywood?
Los Angeles would offer the entertainment opportunities and warm weather that Howard craves (yes, I know that Orlando has warm weather too), and as a bonus, he would also get to team up with Kobe Bryant.
This would also be a solid deal for the Magic.
In return, they would be getting a young, promising center in Bynum to replace Howard, as well as an ultra-athletic guard who can fill up the highlight reels on a nightly basis. Furthermore, by sending Howard to Los Angeles, they would be sending him out of the Eastern Conference.
The salaries would be close, although there may need to be a few additional pieces added to make things work.
From the Magic's standpoint, no Dwight Howard trade scenario is ideal, but this one would make a ton of sense.
Lakers: Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and Picks for Howard
2 of 10
How the mighty have fallen.
Just a few months ago, Gasol was seen as "untouchable" across the league, and the Lakers looked like they were primed to make a run at their third consecutive championship.
Things didn't work out that way, however, and the Lakers were swept away by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round of the playoffs. Gasol was absolutely brutal throughout the postseason, and many Lakers fans are calling for him to be put on the chopping block.
If the Lakers added Odom and numerous picks to the offer, Orlando might have some interest. But since Andrew Bynum is younger and possesses more upside, the Magic would likely require him in any deal for Howard.
But if L.A. could acquire Howard for Gasol and a few other players, they should waste little time hesitating.
Knicks: Amar'e Stoudemire and Landry Fields for Howard
3 of 10
At first, this one seems crazy. But is it really?
When LeBron James decided to leave Cleveland and Chris Bosh decided to leave Toronto, their respective teams were left with (virtually) nothing. This past season, the Raptors were led by Andrea Bargnani and the Cavaliers were led by J.J. Hickson, which tells you everything you need to know about why their records were so bad.
The point is: they were left without a superstar player who could help keep the franchise respectable.
While their are questions about Stoudemire's long-term health, there is no denying that the man is one of the best forwards in the game. He is an elite scorer with the ability to put a team on his back as he showed early on with the Knicks.
Instead of Fields, Orlando could ask for Chauncey Billups and his expiring contract. In that case, the Knicks would need to take another player on from the Magic to make the salaries work.
Amar'e probably isn't going anywhere, but he is the most talented player the Magic could get in return for Howard. Because of that reason, such a deal remains possible.
Nets: Brook Lopez, Anthony Morrow, Damion James and Picks for Howard
4 of 10
While this deal isn't as sexy as some of the other trades mentioned, it still offers plenty of value for the Magic.
Lopez is a young center who continues to develop, and could become an All-Star-caliber player in the not-so-distant future. Morrow is an absolute sharpshooter who can stretch the floor and help create open space. James, originally drafted by the Hawks in 2010, only played in 25 games this past season due to injury, but flashed serious potential in the games that he did play in.
The Nets also have an advantage over most teams because they have a ton of cap space available.
Bulls: Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Ronnie Brewer and Picks for Howard
5 of 10
Just imagining Dwight Howard teaming up with Derrick Rose is a lot of fun.
While Chicago isn't his most likely destination, still the Bulls are said to still be on Howard's radar.
In return, the Magic could acquire an elite defensive player in Noah, a very solid power forward in Gibson, and a player who can fill in on the wing in Brewer. They would also require a number of first round picks to finish the deal off.
Bulls: Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng and Picks for Howard
6 of 10
Here is another variation of a trade that would bring Howard to Chi-Town.
Since I called out Gasol for having a terrible postseason, it is only fair that I do the same with Boozer. For whatever reason (for the record, Boozer himself has blamed his struggles on his injured toe), he has been playing mediocre at best and has hurt the Bulls more than he has helped them.
The Magic would undoubtedly prefer Noah over Boozer, but may require both to get something done. Deng is a talented yet underrated player who can score in a variety of ways, and there would still need to be a number of picks involved.
The Bulls probably won't want to mess with what they have going, though.
More Unlikely Scenarios Trail Blazers: Gerald Wallace, Camby and Batum
7 of 10
This deal actually comes together quite well financially.
Wallace is an athletic wing player who is a standout defensive player, Camby would help fill the void in the middle for Orlando and Batum is a promising young player as well.
Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge would form one of the best frontcourts in the entire NBA, and Portland would be legit contenders in the Western Conference.
From Orlando's perspective, this deal would also ship Dwight out of the East.
Clippers: Chris Kaman, Eric Bledsoe, Al-Farouq Aminu and Picks for Howard
8 of 10
The Clippers could do a number of things here.
Chris Kaman is on the books for $12 million next season which will make him a valuable trade chip. They could also re-sign DeAndre Jordan, who is an unrestricted free agent and then deal him to Orlando.
In addition, they could add young players such as Eric Bledsoe and Al-Farouq Aminu to the deal. If things got serious with the Magic, they would probably even part with Eric Gordon if that's what it took to seal the deal.
Howard and Blake Griffin on the same team would be downright scary.
Heat: Chris Bosh and Joel Anthony for Howard
9 of 10
This is a very similar scenario to that of the trade involving the Knicks.
While Bosh is clearly a downgrade, he is still one of the better players that the Magic could possibly get for Howard. The salaries would also be very similar, and the Heat wouldn't hesitate to swap Bosh with Howard.
But it is very doubtful that the Magic would want to deal Howard to their in-state rivals regardless of who they would receive in return.
76ers: Andre Igoudala, Louis Williams, Evan Turner and Picks
10 of 10
Much like a possible trade involving the Nets, the 76ers don't have a flashy name to offer the Magic, but nonetheless they could offer a good amount of value.
Igoudala is an above-average wing player, Turner had a promising rookie season and Williams is a pure-scorer who can score in a number of ways.
Although unlikely, this would be a good haul for the Magic.
