NBA Trade Rumors: Dwight Howard to Clippers Would Destroy Maligned Franchise

There has been no indication from the Orlando Magic that they are looking to move Dwight Howard right now, but if he does not sign an extension, that could change in a hurry.

It has been reported that the Los Angeles Clippers are hot on his trail, though that would be a terrible move for the franchise.

According to ESPN’s Chris Broussard, the Clippers are ready and willing to offer anyone on the team–outside of Blake Griffin–to get Howard.

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But while the Clippers like Paul, sources say they like Dwight Howard even more. The Clippers have made it clear to executives throughout the league that they will do whatever it takes–outside of trading Griffin–to get Howard, who will become a free agent at the same time as Paul, either this season or next summer. So, they will not move the players they’ll try to use to get Howard to New Orleans for Paul. 

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There are so many problems with that potential deal that is hard to envision what the Clippers are thinking, outside of the obvious marketing possibilities.

Howard and Griffin together does not mesh well. They are two players that have to have the ball and need to be the No. 1 option.

Putting them together to share touches would be a disaster because they wouldn’t have a point guard who was effective enough to actually get them the ball because he will have been dealt to Orlando, along with virtually every other quality player on the Clippers.

This would not be like the second coming of Tim Duncan and David Robinson because those were two players that did not need the ball to dominate. They were both comfortable sharing and distributing to each other and their teammates.

Howard and Griffin are more about flash and panache than fundamentals and teamwork. They would try to outdo each other for best dunk of the night instead of focusing on helping the team win.

The Clippers already have a good thing going with Griffin and just need to make one or two moves–either in the draft or free agency–to become contenders. Trading all of their starters to acquire another post player would not be in the best interest of the franchise.

It would be a great front page story for the Los Angeles Times, but would not result in championships or consistent playoff appearances for the “other” LA team.