Dwight Howard Rumors: New Jersey Nets Stand No Chance of Landing Magic All-Star

Prior to the NBA lockout, there were plenty of rumors in regard to what would happen with Orlando Magic All-Star center Dwight Howard with free agency looming in 2012. While that isn't yet clear, one team that shouldn't even try to acquire him is the New Jersey Nets.

Under wealthy owner Mikhail Prokhorov, the Nets have been at the center of rumors for many of the league's top players. That includes point guard Deron Williams, whom they acquired from the Utah Jazz last season.

Prokhorov certainly will want to re-sign Williams when his contract is up at the end of the season, and one way to do that would be by acquiring another star like Howard. While the move makes perfect sense in theory, the Nets simply can't offer the package that other teams can.

Chris Bernucca of Sheridan Hoops handicapped the odds of the top five teams in the running for Howard and gave the Nets 50-1 odds of landing him. If Bernucca's projected deal of Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries, Anthony Morrow and two first-round picks is even close to accurate, then I would have to agree with his sentiment.

Lopez is a very nice, young interior player who should be around for a long time, but he doesn't have the potential to become a dominant player like Howard. Humphries and Morrow are nothing special, and the picks likely wouldn't be great provided the Nets would have Howard and Williams in the Eastern Conference.

The problem is that the Magic would essentially be trading Howard for Lopez and a bunch of extras, and that simply isn't fair value. The Nets could try to sweeten the deal somehow, but they just don't have the assets to do it other than Williams, and that would defeat the purpose.

Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers can offer a player with monster upside like center Andrew Bynum, and the Chicago Bulls can offer a complete package including Joakim Noah, Luol Deng and picks. The Nets can't compete with those types of offers and only stand a chance if the Magic get desperate.

Ultimately, I'm not convinced that the Magic will trade Howard at all, as I believe they can work out a contract. When push comes to shove, if it comes down to trading him to the Nets for that package or taking a chance by keeping him, I think the Magic will choose to hold onto Howard.