Dwight Howard Trade Speculation: Odds for Each Team Landing Him Through Trade
Despite the fact that Dwight Howard's contract runs through the 2012-13 season, the early termination option has trade talk all over the basketball world.
So, where will he end up?
Well, there are a lot of teams that could use a stud center, but some may opt to the draft for filling the need.
That said, a lot also depends on who can actually afford him.
It will surely be an interesting summer, but until then, we can only give odds. Check it out.
Atlanta Hawks
1 of 29
With Al Horford and Josh Smith down low, then Zaza Pachulia coming off the bench, the Hawks paint is set.
Not to mention defensively they finished ninth as a unit in allowing only 95.8 ppg.
ODDS: 1-in-500
Boston Celtics
2 of 29
After the somewhat surprising trade of Kendrick Perkins, the main center for Boston is Jermaine O'Neal.
Shaq is old, KG is old and Nenad Krstic is not the answer to the future.
The question of what Boston could offer for Howard is another issue, but chances are they'll be interested come this summer.
ODDS: 1-in-50
Charlotte Bobcats
3 of 29
The Bobcats do have a decent paint with Kwame Brown and Boris Diaw.
However, they could use a player like Howard, but what they could offer Orlando may force them to look into the draft.
Which isn't a bad idea either, if they choose a big man.
ODDS: 1-in-120
Chicago Bulls
4 of 29
The Bulls are more in the need of a second guard than anyone in the paint.
Noah and Boozer are solid, so don't expect that to change.
Off the bench, Omar Asik, Taj Gibson and Kurt Thomas have been great as well, so there's no need for D12 in the Windy City.
ODDS: 1-in-350
Cleveland Cavaliers
5 of 29
Cleveland is a team that could make an excellent offer if they wish to obtain Dwight Howard.
Orlando will most likely be asking for a lot, so chances are the Cavs would have to give up their two top-10 first-round draft picks.
The main issue is whether Cleveland decides to draft there or continue to rely on Anderson Varejao and J.J. Hickson down low.
ODDS: 1-in-35
Dallas Mavericks
6 of 29
The Mavericks could use Dwight Howard for depth, and that's about it.
Tyson Chandler has come on strong this season, and Dirk's been, well, Dirk.
He would be a great addition for the defense, but adding depth at PG is crucial since Jason Kidd will be 39 next year.
ODDS: 1-in-200
Denver Nuggets
7 of 29
Despite the Nuggets not having that Dwight Howard-esque presence inside, they have a lot of depth to make up for it.
That said, having that much depth does allow them to trade multiple players for one guy, so that is in their favor.
However, having depth gives head coach George Karl the opportunity to show various looks and use different schemes.
In the backcourt, the question is whether Ty Lawson remains the future at PG.
ODDS: 1-in-75
Detroit Pistons
8 of 29
The Pistons do have some talented players to offer the Magic if they wish to pursue Howard.
Rip Hamilton has been wanting a trade, and Tracy McGrady could sweeten the deal.
Whether Greg Monroe is the future,obviously remains to be seen, but Ben Wallace has no offense so they do need help down low.
Not to mention, with the possibility of Tayshaun Prince moving elsewhere this offseason, adding any help will suffice, regardless of position.
ODDS: 1-in-50
Golden State Warriors
9 of 29
The Warriors could definitely use Howard, but what could they offer?
They need Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis in the backcourt, so would the Magic be interested in anyone from Golden State's frontcourt?
D12 would most definitely be of assistance to the Warrior D, but chances are they will look to the draft for their needs.
ODDS: 1-in-70
Houston Rockets
10 of 29
Let's face it, Yao Ming is not the answer at center in Houston. And, neither is Brad Miller.
How about Hasheem Thabeet? Well, he is 7'3", but no.
Trade all three, and if need be a first-round pick for Dwight Howard? Yes.
Maybe even add in Chuck Hayes for good measure.
ODDS: 1-in-15
Indiana Pacers
11 of 29
The Pacers have some pretty decent talent down low, and they are young.
They played about as well as they could in the playoffs against Chicago, so next season should have increased expectations.
With that said, making a move for Howard would throw off the nucleus already created.
ODDS: 1-in-125
Los Angeles Clippers
12 of 29
Well, the good news is that if Dwight Howard was to pair with Blake Griffin, the Clippers would matter that much more in Southern California.
The bad news is that trading for him will be difficult as they don't have a first-round pick to make the deal more enticing.
However, it's still fun to think about Howard and Griffin throwing down as arguably the best frontcourt in the association.
Nonetheless, don't be surprised if Donald Sterling pulls something to shock the NBA world.
ODDS: 1-in-100
Los Angeles Lakers
13 of 29
Most of the speculation so far leads to Dwight Howard ending up in Los Angeles with the Lakers.
They could definitely use him and do have the ammo to make the trade happen with Orlando.
However, with the search for a new head coach in the works in case Phil Jackson hangs it up, the Lakers should be busy this summer.
Don't be surprised if D12 ends up with the Lake Show, but don't be surprised if he does not, either.
ODDS: 1-in-80
Memphis Grizzlies
14 of 29
Currently, the last thing on the Grizzlies' mind is the offseason and trade talks.
Chances are Memphis will be shopping elsewhere since Marc Gasol is beginning to develop and they have retained Zach Randolph.
ODDS: 1-in-175
Miami Heat
15 of 29
For the sake of basketball's 21st century version of murderer's row, this would be it.
And it's not out of the realm of reality since Miami does have a lot of depth they could give up.
Combine Wade, James, Bosh and Howard, and the Heat will be the favorites heading into next season.
The biggest concern, though, would be if Orlando is willing to make a deal that will have such an impact on not only the Eastern Conference but, more importantly for them, within the division.
ODDS: 1-in-25
Milwaukee Bucks
16 of 29
Milwaukee does have some solid players down low if they wanted to make a proposal to Orlando.
However, why try to fix something that isn't broken? The Bucks D finished ranked third after allowing only 92.7 ppg.
Also, they should put their efforts toward re-signing PF Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.
ODDS: 1-in-225
Minnesota Timberwolves
17 of 29
Minnesota could very well make an offer to Orlando.
He may not technically be worth a the first overall pick straight up, but the Timberwolves need a dominant center.
Thanks to PF Kevin Love, they finished as the best rebounding team, but can they improve the 30th-ranked D with Darko Milicic in the paint?
Howard is obviously the better choice, so it will be interesting to see if they opt to deal with the Magic or the draft.
ODDS: 1-in-65
New Jersey Nets
18 of 29
Brook Lopez may not be the franchise answer for New Jersey, but there's not much interest for Howard with the Nets.
Put yourself in Dwight's position. Would you rather go to New York, L.A. or New Jersey?
One of those three doesn't fit, and also the Nets have to worry about keeping PG Deron Williams, otherwise the 28th-ranked offense won't improve.
ODDS: 1-in-135
New Orleans Hornets
19 of 29
With so much Chris Paul trade talk and whether he'll end up with Dwight Howard, chances are they won't meet up in NOLA.
For starters, Emeka Okafor is a solid center while David West, Carl Landry and Trevor Ariza remain as a good core of forwards.
What the Hornets front office must first focus on is keeping Paul and then drafting to help improve the 27th-ranked offense.
ODDS: 1-in-250
New York Knicks
20 of 29
If the Knicks want Dwight, then releasing a star player like Chauncey Billups will not happen to save room in salary cap space.
New York really needs a center, and it is an appealing location for Howard, but only if the price is right.
That said, if there's a city that can make this happen, New York is the one.
ODDS: 1-in-40
Oklahoma City Thunder
21 of 29
Now that the Thunder have Kendrick Perkins (and some solid backups), there's really no need to even attempt a trade for Dwight Howard.
Unless Orlando and Oklahoma City want to mess with everyone's head this shouldn't happen.
OKC is continually improving each year, and they have a core group with a bright future.
So, there's no need for them to add Howard.
ODDS: 1-in-250
Philadelphia 76ers
22 of 29
The 76ers are right on the cusp of moving to the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference.
However, with Marreese Speights, Spencer Hawes and Tony Battie at center, they remain a few steps back.
All are great off the bench but can't compare to Howard as a starter.
Philly should make a move, but putting together an offer is another story.
But hopefully they can make it happen to at least stir the pot a bit.
ODDS: 1-in-40
Phoenix Suns
23 of 29
The Phoenix Suns' 29th-ranked defense needs to improve, so adding Dwight Howard would most definitely suffice.
However, another issue is the aging Steve Nash, who will be 38 next year.
Maybe a first-round pick and giving Vince Carter back to Orlando would work, but the Magic may want more with all the offers they'll be anticipating.
ODDS: 1-in-40
Portland Trail Blazers
24 of 29
Portland does need a center despite their solid frontcourt.
The reason is because Marcus Camby turns 38 next year, and Greg Oden continues to be injury-prone.
However, trading away the other stars on the Trail Blazers only makes Orlando redundant.
So, their best bet is to look in the draft or wait and see what the Magic want for Howard.
ODDS: 1-in-180
Sacramento Kings
25 of 29
Sacramento could definitely use Dwight Howard to improve their 25th-ranked D.
That said, they could offer their first-round pick along with a few players (i.e. DeMarcus Cousins' backups).
However, their best option is most likely the draft, as Howard would probably be unhappy playing for people like the Maloofs.
ODDS: 1-in-80
San Antonio Spurs
26 of 29
The Spurs are like the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL. They're just old.
That said, there's no way Orlando will want to trade such a young talent in Howard for players that are flirting with retirement over the next few years.
Sooner or later you have to completely rebuild, so that seems to be more imminent in San Antonio.
ODDS: 1-in-215
Toronto Raptors
27 of 29
Toronto could use some help on defense as they finished 26th, allowing 105.4 ppg.
What's good for Toronto is that they are really young, so trading for Howard is possible.
Therefore, Orlando could virtually pick and choose what they want from the Raptors if some serious discussions begin.
If Dwight Howard ends up in Toronto, don't be surprised.
ODDS: 1-in-20
Utah Jazz
28 of 29
The Jazz are actually set in the paint with Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Derrick Favors coming off the bench with Mehmet Okur.
Their biggest flaw is finding a PG and head coach, so Dwight Howard moving to Salt Lake is highly unlikely.
ODDS: 1-in-200
Washington Wizards
29 of 29
The Washington Wizards do have some players that could make this deal happen.
PF Andray Blatche, C Javale McGee and a first-rounder would be enticing, so a move to the nation's capital isn't out of the question.
Pairing Howard with PG John Wall would definitely fill the arena, not to mention they would be fun to watch.
Together, they could potentially get the Wizards in the postseason.
ODDS: 1-in-50
