Orlando Magic: 5 Offseason Moves That Could Keep Dwight Howard in Orlando
In the wake of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams going to bigger markets such as New York, New Jersey and Miami, NBA fans see this becoming an inevitable trend among the league's biggest superstars.
The next big star to be in free agency, the Orlando Magic's perennial all-star center Dwight Howard, is one year away from being able to opt out of his contract. Similar to the LeBron situation in Cleveland, Dwight has been with Orlando since being drafted in 2004. He has led Orlando to the NBA Finals in 2009, but has failed to win a championship.
Already, sports journalists are discussing better options for Howard outside of Orlando, citing that the Magic just do not have the players around Howard to bring home a championship.
In order to keep Howard, the Magic will have to prove to him that they are willing to make the necessary moves to win a championship and to continue building on their strong foundation.
Here are the five moves that Orlando could make in the offseason to bolster their chances of winning a championship and to keep Dwight in Orlando.
5. PG Brandon Jennings; Milwaukee Bucks
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An up-and-coming point guard in the NBA, Brandon Jennings has impressed NBA fans and teams in his short two-year career.
So far, he averages 15.8 PPG and five assists, along with almost four rebounds and two steals a game.
He battled injury this season and missed 20 games. Although his numbers went down by a small margin, Jennings is a reliable 36 percent three-point shooter as well as an 82 percent free-throw shooter.
At the age of 21, he has shown the potential and raw talent to be a top point guard in the future.
This is what the Magic are lacking.
Jameer Nelson has been in Orlando since being drafted in 2004 and is considered a fan favorite. He had an all-star type year in 2008-2009 until his season was derailed by injury. Since then, Nelson has not been able to reach that level of play again.
Gilbert Arenas has shown flashes of his old self after the Magic acquired him before the trade deadline, but lacks the consistency needed in a starting point guard role.
Jennings would make sense for the Magic. It would take a big trade to get Jennings in Orlando, but the Magic have the assets to pull off the deal.
The one concern about Jennings is that he still is very young, and fans could see it as a step backward in the short-term as they watch Jennings grow into a star player.
Nevertheless, the talent Jennings possess could be worth the risk.
4. SG Monta Ellis; Golden State Warriors
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Monta Ellis has established himself as one of the league's best young scorers. Often forgotten about in Golden State, Ellis does it all for the Warriors.
While averaging 24.1 PPG this season, he dished out six assists and two steals. He has also risen his three-point percentage every year with it currently sitting at 36 percent.
During 2010-2011, Ellis scored 30 or more points in a game 21 times. His season-high was 46 against the Rockets on Oct. 27.
Clearly, Ellis can score from anywhere on the court and can make the necessary plays to get open teammates the basketball.
Right now, the Magic have no offensive playmaker besides Dwight Howard. Defenses have to be wary of the Magic's three-point ability, but if the shots are not falling, Howard will see a lot of double-teams down low, which will limit his offensive production.
Ellis would provide the Magic with a player that could take some of the responsibility off Dwight Howard offensively, and would cause defenses to think twice about crowding around Howard in the post.
Ellis still has halfway to go in his six-year deal with the Warriors, but for the right price, Ellis could be moved in order for the Warriors to acquire the right pieces to build around Stephen Curry.
3. SF Rudy Gay; Memphis Grizzlies
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Rudy Gay, who missed a quarter of the season due to injury, has been option No. 1 for the Grizzlies for much of his career.
Gay is a lengthy small-forward who can stretch the floor with his shooting ability or drive to the basket.
Trade rumors have sprung up about the Grizzlies potentially trading Gay after their playoff run against the Spurs and the Thunder.
During the playoffs and with Gay injured, the Grizzlies relied heavily on the tandem of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. Randolph, in particular, rose to stardom in Memphis because of his 22.2 points and 10 rebounds per game during the 2011 playoffs.
Now, with Randolph seemingly taking over as the No. 1 scoring option for Memphis and Gasol entering into free agency, it is believed Memphis will have to spend a lot of money to keep Gasol.
If the Grizzlies traded Gay in order to make enough cap room to sign Gasol, the Orlando Magic would be a great suitor for Gay.
Gay gives the Magic that necessary playmaker alongside Howard, much like Monta Ellis would. The Magic lack athleticism in the three spot and Gay could fill that void.
Despite the injury this year, Gay is a rising star in the league and has shown in his four years in the league that he can also lead his team when it counts. Gay would be a player that the Magic fan base would get very excited about, and the tandem of Howard and Gay could be something special to build off of.
It would take a lot to make the trade for Gay, including numerous draft picks. Therefore, the scenario is not as likely for the Magic to take advantage of, but still very intriguing nonetheless.
2. PF David West; New Orleans Hornets
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I know having David West as the No. 2 best option for the Magic to keep Dwight Howard might surprise some of you.
But West is one of the most underrated post players in the league.
With Chris Paul as the star in New Orleans, West's production often goes unnoticed.
In the last six years, West has put up more than 17 points and seven rebounds per game. His career best was during the 2008-2009 season where his stat line included 21.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and one block per game.
He also has been very durable for the Hornets, playing in more than 70 games each season for the past four years.
West is a free agent this summer and could fall under the radar as one of the best players available in the free agent market.
If the Magic can free up some cap room, going after West would be one of the best moves Orlando could make.
During Dwight Howard's time in Orlando, they have never paired him with another legitimate low-post threat that he could play alongside with in the paint.
Currently, Brandon Bass is the Magic's starter at the four spot. Although, he puts up decent numbers, Bass is not someone that can take the attention off Howard in the post.
West, who has proven to be an above average passer for a big man, could dish the ball to Howard more effectively in the paint. He has also shown that he can score a lot of points as well, and can take some responsibility off Howard.
West would also provide the Magic with another effective rebounder down low, which would increase more second chance opportunities for Howard and the Magic.
1. PG Chris Paul; New Orleans Hornets
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What is there to say about Chris Paul?
He is a four-time all-star and former Rookie of the Year in 2006.
His career averages are 18.7 points, 9.9 assists and 2.4 steals per game. He has also averaged more than 10 assists per game three times in his career.
Paul has set numerous franchise records in New Orleans, one of which is dishing out 21 assists in one game.
He is also the only player in NBA history to lead the league in both assists and steals in consecutive years (2007-2009). Paul has led the league in steals three times in his career as well.
Obviously, Paul's credentials speak for themselves.
Rumored to be wanting out of New Orleans prior to this season, Paul mentioned that Orlando was one of his top destinations on his wish list.
However, after being coerced into staying in New Orleans, Paul still remains a topic of discussion among trade and free agency rumors.
Getting Chris Paul to come to Orlando would be the ultimate move the Magic could make in keeping Dwight Howard in Orlando and setting the team up for numerous championship runs for many years.
Paul is a future hall of fame player and the tandem of him and Dwight Howard on the same team would be virtually unstoppable.
Immediately, teams would have to extensively plan for both players on defense and Paul's play-making abilities from the point guard position and his ability to find open teammates would benefit both Howard and the entire Magic roster.
Acquiring Paul would allow Howard to be accompanied by another NBA star and would also prove to other free agents that Orlando is a popular destination for them.
Paul, a three-time All-Defensive Team member, would also provide the Magic with a shut-down defender who matches up extremely well with other star point guards such as Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo.
The Magic have the necessary assets to make this trade, and if Chris Paul wants out of New Orleans, Orlando will be heavily mentioned in the trade talks.
