Dwight Howard Trade Speculation: 5 Deals Orlando Magic Should Negotiate

Now more than ever, considering he nearly confirmed it himself, Dwight Howard seems poised to bolt from the Orlando Magic, which means it's time the team started—post-lockout of course—to seriously shop him.

The Magic can hold out hope that he will return all that they want, but it only sets the stage for them to become the even more modern day Cleveland Cavaliers.

Howard wants to win a title and solidify his legacy with the league, a goal that will be unattainable if he remains in Orlando. While it may be tough for the team and city to come to grips with this notion, it's time the Howard sweepstakes officially begin.

The Magic are in an unfavorable situation, but they must be sure to make the most of it. That starts at the negotiating table.

Trade Partner: Chicago Bulls

Back in June, it was reported that the Chicago Bulls would make a strong push for Howard, surprising to some since they made the Eastern Conference Finals last season, but not unwarranted.

One of the more feasible trades involves Chicago sending the likes of Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and two future first-round picks to Orlando for Howard, J.J. Redick and Hedo Turkoglu. It's a steep price to pay, but Howard is worth it.

The Bulls love Deng and Noah, but Boozer is someone they could do without. Additionally, Howard is a clear upgrade over Noah, and while Deng would be missed, Turkoglu is simply overpaid, not incapable.

Don't underestimate Redick's importance in the deal either. He is a better fit at shooting guard than Keith Bogans and gives Chicago a lethal outside threat.

There's also the fact that a one-two punch of Howard and Derrick Rose would be title contenders for years to come too.

On the Magic's end, they are swapping similar contracts in Turkoglu and Deng, but the difference is Deng is worth it. Noah would serve as solid building block for the future, as would those two first rounders.

Boozer's contract is undesirable, but he should prove to help out offensively and is a necessary evil in order to ensure they receive draft picks and Deng. It also allows them to continue to fight for a playoff spot while they wait for Boozer's and Arenas' contracts to expire.

Are the Magic winners in this deal? No, but when dealing a player like Howard, it is unlikely they ever could be. It does, however, maximize their return and competitive potential.  

Trade Partner: New Jersey Nets

The New Jersey Nets are another team who intend to make a hard push for Howard, and they have quite a lot to offer Orlando.

One potential trade scenario involves the Nets sending Brook Lopez, Jordan Farmar, Anthony Morrow, Stephen Graham, one future first-round pick and two future second-round picks to Orlando in exchange for Howard and Turkoglu.

The Magic get hit hard here by Hollinger's Analysis, hypothesizing that their win total gets decreased by 11, but they shed a boatload of payroll and gain three promising youngsters, as well as some draft picks.

With Jameer Nelson on the roster, Farmar seems unnecessary, but the Magic could turn around and send him elsewhere to help fill a greater need or obtain more draft picks. 

Lopez is the key to this trade though as he seems to have the brightest future of all. He 20.4 points, six rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game last season. He gives the Magic a threat on the offensive end, and provides some size to help fill the void left by Howard.

Lopez's rebounding and defense could use some tweaking, but he is only 23 and still developing his game. He is on the brink of becoming a star, which should be a prerequisite for Orlando in any deal.

The Nets pull the trigger on this deal for obvious reasons. A pairing of Howard and Williams would wreak havoc in the Eastern Conference, ensuring they become title contenders. Turkoglu's contract is undesirable, but he can still make an impact on the offensive end.

This trade is all about the future for Orlando, as they shed some payroll and gain some prospects, brightening the outlook of the post-Howard era.

Trade Partner: Golden State Warriors

No, the Magic are unable to acquire Stephen Curry in this scenario, but they could do much worse.

A potential deal involves the Golden State Warriors sending Monta Ellis, David Lee and Dorrell Wright to Orlando in exchange for Howard, Turkoglu, Chris Duhon and two future first- and second-round picks.

The Warriors gain the dominant Howard to pair with Curry and newcomer Klay Thompson, making them legitimate title contenders.

It is an even bigger victory given they have shopped Ellis previously, indicating they are prepared to move on without him. They lose the offensive prowess of Wright, but Turkoglu is a worthy fill in. Duhon won't do much, but is necessary to help push the deal through.

In Ellis and Lee, Orlando gains two talented young players who they can build their team around. Lee is nowhere near as dominant as Howard, but the Magic could do much, much worse.

With a potential starting lineup of Nelson, Ellis, Wright, Brandon Bass and Lee, Orlando possesses the ability to fight for a playoff spot. The draft picks won't hurt their cause either.

While the Magic save some cap space in this deal, Lee is fairly expensive. However, he gives them a center in the interim at the very least, and though he is paid handsomely, is not immovable should they decide to explore that route in the future.

As the unquestioned franchise player in Orlando, Ellis should prove to thrive, especially given the fact Nelson would love a prolific backcourt mate to dish off to.

Are the Magic title contenders after this trade? No, but arguably, they aren't contenders with Howard right now either. This scenario gives them capable players in return and doesn't restrict any potential future plans.

Trade Partner: Oklahoma City Thunder

Despite the cohesive struggle between Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder are not actively shopping their point guard. That shouldn't stop Orlando though.

A potential deal would consist of Oklahoma shipping Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Nate Robinson, Kenderick Perkins and a second-round draft pick to Orlando for Howard and Nelson.

Westbrook is a bona fide superstar, but you cannot put a price on Howard, who is a major upgrade over Perkins. Also, Nelson would be more than capable of directing the offense and creates less of an ego conflict in the backcourt.

On the Magic's side they get a superstar to construct a team around and two solid role players in Perkins and Harden. It also gives them Robinson's expiring deal worth $4.5 million.

The downside is that both Arenas and Turkoglu remain, but unless they are willing to retain Nelson and create a major headache in the backcourt while relinquishing the prospect of acquiring Harden, it is a necessary sacrifice. 

The Magic are easily still a playoff team after such a trade, and the Thunder remain legitimate contenders in the West. It's as definitely as close to a win for Orlando as they could possibly get, but it would take some savvy negotiating on their part.

The Thunder nearly made it to the NBA Finals with this group and may be unwilling to undergo and major shake-ups. However, if obtaining Howard is at stake, they'll at least listen.

From there, its Orlando's job to sell them on it.

Trade Partner: Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies do not exactly play in the type of market that Howard dreamed of, but he may be enticed at the opportunity to play alongside Zach Randolph, Mike Conley and Toney Allen.

Marc Gasol is a big man on the rise, one who Orlando would welcome in any trade. A trade where Memphis ships Gasol, Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, Darrell Arthur and a first-round pick in exchange for Howard, Turkogu and Duhon would work for both parties.

With Howard, the Grizzlies are instant title contenders. They receive a star center who complements Zach Randolph in low-post quite nicely; Randolph can work from the inside and out, while Howard prefers to stay in the paint.

Duhon serves as durable bench player and Turkoglu, while overpriced, is adept at scoring. Add Conley and the ever improving Allen to the mix, and they become a team to be feared in the West.

From the Magic's perspective, they are getting two players in Gay and Gasol who can help their team remain competitive. Arthur and Mayo are two solid role players who can make a contribution and whose contracts expire at the end of next year.

They also rid themselves of Turkoglu's and Duhon's contracts in the process.

Memphis already proved they could make a playoff push without Gay, so while his departure isn't ideal, it's not exactly a huge blow either. Gasol is a future star, but Howard is a clear upgrade, which makes this trade justifiable.

The Magic are in need of a star in return for Howard, and this trade gives them arguably two. They don't become title contenders, but they stay a part of the playoff conversation and rid themselves of a couple contractual headaches.

And at this stage in the game, Orlando cannot ask for any better circumstances.

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @Dan_Favale.