Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: Is Brook Lopez Good Enough To Get Deal Done?

The New Jersey Nets surprisingly threw their name in the hat of the Dwight Howard sweepstakes yesterday, leading to a possibility that Dwight Howard could be dealt to a team other than the Los Angeles Lakers.

Magic GM Otis Smith also stated today that he wouldn't rule out a Howard deal, possibly giving some of the rumors some life.

Of course Howard would have to sign an extension for a deal to happen with New Jersey or any other team, but looking at the Nets' proposed offer, is it enough?

The proposed deal would send center Brook Lopez and a pair of first-round picks in exchange for Howard and Hedo Turkoglu.

Looking at the big names in the deal, it basically comes down to a Howard-for-Lopez swap. But is Lopez really a good enough piece to get this deal done (assuming Howard would sign an extension)?

Looking at the stat sheets, they both averaged over 20 points per game a season ago, but stats can be misleading in the NBA.

Lopez is a guy that should be a much better rebounder and defensive player for his size. Orlando would lose a lot on that end in this swap. But Lopez isn't a bad player either; you could do much worse if you're the Magic.

Who knows—at the end of the day, the New Jersey offer could be one of the most attractive the Magic may see.

The most attractive parts could be the other pieces talked about.

For the most part, the two first-round picks talked about would be much higher picks than a team like the Lakers would be able to offer up.

Also the Nets assuming Turkoglu's awful contract is something many teams wouldn't financially be able to do.

Getting Lopez, a pair of decent first-round picks and Turkoglu's contract off the books could help the Magic rebuild much quicker than many other possible Howard trade scenarios.