Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: 3 Realistic Trades That Could Keep Him in Orlando
Dwight Howard's face in the picture above expresses his probable dismay for his team more than any series of words ever could. Howard is unhappy with the Orlando Magic, even if he says he's not.
Why wouldn't he be? Turkoglu and Arenas are both overpaid liabilities with their best years behind them. Jameer Nelson is great, but he is the poster boy for inconsistency. Howard needs another superstar or something close to stay in Orlando...we all know it.
Otis Smith has shown he is not afraid to make a bold move. Maybe he can pull off a miracle and land Chris Paul, Deron Williams or at least a consistent second option. If he can't, Howard may force the Magic to move him.
Here are three sample trades that actually COULD happen which just may keep Howard in a Magic uniform for the next few years.
Landing Chris Paul
1 of 3
Last season, Chris Paul said he wanted out of New Orleans. He later changed his mind, but most of us believe he still wants out. The Magic were one of the teams in talks to acquire the All-Star point guard. Is landing Chris Paul even possible now without Vince Carter's large expiring contract no longer a trade chip?
The answer is yes.
Although, it is extremely unlikely the Magic could get Paul without involving a third team. The Magic don't really have any great young assets beyond Ryan Anderson, and he isn't something most teams salivate over. The Magic will have to find a team to take Turkoglu or Arenas, which is not an easy task with three years left on each contract. If a team was to take one of these guys, why wouldn't they just trade for Paul themselves?
There a few trades that could happen. Here is a sample that may work.
The Magic would most likely send a few draft picks to Utah in this trade as well.
The Magic would acquire Paul and Okafor in this trade, losing a lot of depth. The Magic would be a better team though.
New Orleans is able to dump Okafor's four-year contract. They also pick up Jameer Nelson, Ryan Anderson, Brandon Bass and Okur's soon to be expiring contract. New Orleans will be a worse team, but they can start rebuilding quickly. If this trade was to happen, New Orleans could move David West in the future, if need be.
Utah is the team that doesn't get much in this deal. They are in cap hell for the next three years (they also have two first-round picks this year that will take up around $6 million-$7 million in additional cap space). Because of this, they might be willing to take Turkoglu's contract. They get almost nothing, but if some draft picks go their way, they might be willing to help, since it will make another playoff team in their conference much weaker.
No Deron Williams...Yet, Go for Steph Curry
2 of 3
I have a feeling Deron Williams will end up in New York. Stephen Curry might not be as good as Williams, but he is much younger. In a few years Curry will be an All-Star or pretty close. There were a lot of rumors going around that Golden State wanted to move him earlier this year.
They might be willing to move him, but how could the Magic acquire him?
This scenario, slightly tweaked, would possibly work. According to ESPN, This trade shows the Magic winning less. I don't think that would be the case. The Magic would land the great young Stephen Curry, and a quality backup center. I wouldn't be surprised if Curry moves to shooting guard, and Arenas starts at the point. Starting again may just jump start the stagnant Arenas.
Golden State would get Jameer Nelson (possibly a better pure point guard than Curry), Ryan Anderson and, finally, unload Biedrin's contract.
If Golden State still wants to unload Curry, they could do worse.
Deron Williams
3 of 3
If Deron Williams won't sign an extension with New Jersey, they will most likely trade him. Orlando and New York would be his most likely stops. New York can trade Billups expiring contract but really have no assets, beyond Landry Fields, that New Jersey would want.
The Magic might have a chance of landing Williams without getting a third team involved. Although this is unlikely, it all depends on how desperate New Jersey gets if Williams won't sign an extension.
This trade utilizes Utah once again and might involve draft picks.
Orlando picks up Deron Williams, Travis Outlaw and Raja Bell. Although they give up a lot of depth, they end up being a stronger team.
New Jersey gets to unload Travis Outlaw's terrible contract and can start rebuilding. They would also obtain Brandon Bass who could start at power forward, if they want to let Chris Humphries move on. Jameer Nelson also provides a solid option at the point, and Okur's soon to be expiring contract is always a nice thing to have.
Utah again doesn't pick up a lot. However, they are one of the few teams in the NBA that will not have cap room for a long time, so they might be willing to take on Turkoglu.
