Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: 6 NBA Teams That Can Realistically Acquire Him

Dwight Howard is a man who is conflicted on his desire to leave Orlando. Magic fans hope Dwight Howard listens to this song before he makes the decision to leave Orlando.

Orlando is a perennial playoff team with Howard manning the middle. Stan Van Gundy's offense and defense is designed to allow Dwight Howard to thrive. It is imperative the Magic first try to extend his contract.

But if the Magic fail to extend Dwight Howard's contract, Magic GM Otis Smith must trade the best center in the NBA. The Magic can't get equal value for Howard since he is a game-changing player.

They can, however, get great value for one of the best big men in the NBA. Here are six trades that accomplish that.

Note: I am not saying these trades should happen.

Los Angeles Lakers

Full trade: Magic trade Dwight Howard and Hedo Turkoglu to the Lakers, Lakers trade Andrew Bynum and a 2014 first-round pick to Magic and Pau Gasol to Rockets, and Rockets trade Luis Scola and Kevin Martin to Magic and Jordan Hill to the Lakers. The Rockets also receive a 2012 first-round pick from the Lakers.

Why It Benefits Orlando

Andrew Bynum, Kevin Martin and Luis Scola are three legitimate starters in this league. Bynum has the potential to be a superstar big man. Martin is good for 20 points a night. Scola is an outstanding power forward.

Furthermore, they ship off a bad contract in Hedo Turkoglu.

Side note: If you are known more for your contract than your game, you need to work harder to justify that contract. 

The Master of Panic will lead the league in heart attacks with Andrew Bynum's injury history in the middle and Kevin Martin's propensity to take bad shots.

Nevertheless the new-look Magic will make the playoffs. This means Jeff Van Gundy can awkwardly call his brother's games again.

Why It Benefits Los Angeles

You can surround Howard and Kobe with Moe, Larry and Curly and you can go to the Western Conference Finals. Besides, a major trade almost has to happen given the turmoil in L.A.

Why It Benefits Houston

Houston has desired to acquire a franchise big man ever since Yao Ming's career was cut short. Pau Gasol is that franchise big man.

Samuel Dalembert and Pau Gasol can form a formidable front line. Houston also eliminates their surplus of power forwards by trading Scola and Hill.

Utah Jazz

Full trade: Magic trade Dwight Howard, Chris Duhon and JJ Redick to Jazz for Al Jefferson, Enes Kanter, Gordon Hayward and Paul Millsap.

Why This Trade Benefits Utah

Utah acquires a franchise big man for a hefty price. Dwight Howard can team up with Derrick Favors to represent their hometown of Atlanta.

They take on hefty salaries in JJ Redick and Chris Duhon, but these players figure into coach Tyrone Corbin's rotation.

Why This Trade Benefits Orlando

Turkey has their new favorite NBA team now that Hedo Turkoglu and Enes Kanter are on the Magic. Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson are two outstanding big men.

The Magic have the option of trading Millsap or Jefferson given the sudden logjams of power forwards they now possess. They also get a promising small forward in Gordon Hayward.

Chicago Bulls

Full trade: Orlando trades Dwight Howard and Hedo Turkoglu to Chicago for Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Omer Asik, Luol Deng and CJ Watson.

Why It Benefits Chicago

Gutting your roster to get one player usually does not make sense. Unless the one player is Dwight Howard. Howard can be the dominant anchor for Tom Thibodeau's defense.

Hedo Turkoglu can provide the three-point shooting needed with Luol Deng departing. A lineup of Derrick Rose, Rip Hamilton, Hedo Turkoglu, Carlos Boozer and Dwight Howard can win several NBA championships given the depth the Bulls currently possess.

Why It Benefits Orlando

Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson can form an outstanding low post tandem. Omer Asik possesses tremendous potential as a big man. Luol Deng is a borderline All-Star. CJ Watson is one of the premier backup point guards in the NBA.

Houston Rockets

Full trade: Magic trades Dwight Howard, JJ Redick and Chris Duhon to Houston for Kevin Martin, Luis Scola, Patrick Patterson, Donatas Motiejunas, Chandler Parsons and a 2012 first-round pick.

Why This Trade Benefits Houston

The Rockets finally get that franchise big man they have coveted ever since Yao Ming's career was cut short by injuries.

It is a high price to pay. But Kevin McHale is willing to pay it to get his franchise big man.

Why This Trade Benefits Orlando

Orlando acquires a very good SG in Kevin Martin. Luis Scola is a tremendous PF. Patrick Patterson is a burgeoning PF. Chandler Parsons can contribute right away with his versatility. Donatas Motiejunas has a high ceiling as the prototypical European PF.

New Jersey Nets

Full trade: Magic trade Dwight Howard to Nets for Brook Lopez, Mehmet Okur, Kris Humphries, 50 Kim Kardashian jokes, five first-round picks and two of Mikhail Prokhorov's yachts.

Why This Trade Benefits New Jersey

Mikhail Prokhorov's tremendous negotiation tactics are in full display in this deal. The Nets give up five useless draft picks, two of his rundown yachts, Brook Lopez, Mehmet Okur's expiring contract and the most hated player in the NBA.

If Prokhorov can sign fellow countryman Andrei Kirilenko, AK-47's hair and Howard's defensive skills will lead the league in blocked shots.

Better yet, David Stern can't block the trade for obvious reasons. Stern can't turn his back on the Russian or else!

Why This Trade Benefits Orlando

Brook Lopez is a blossoming 20-10 guy in this league. Mehmet Okur's expiring contract can give the Magic enough cap space to sign marquee free agents in 2012. The yachts acquired can give the free agents incentive for signing with Orlando.

The bright side is the Magic will at least draw a crowd since they want to see a person dumb enough to marry Kim Kardashian.

Miami Heat

Full trade: Dwight Howard to Heat for LeBron James

Why This Trade Benefits Miami

Dwyane Wade can be the undisputed man in Miami. Howard can be the long-term answer at center for Miami. Shane Battier can slide in at SF. Chris Bosh can now be freed up at PF to knock down mid-range shots.

Now the Heat are more balanced with this trade. 

Why This Trade Benefits Orlando

LeBron James might be the most talented player in NBA history. LeBron James is a transcendent player who needs to be the man on his team. The experiment with the Heat was not a failure.

Stan Van Gundy better not ask LeBron for a dollar though during the playoffs, lest he only get 75 cents in return.

Conclusion

I am not saying these trades should happen.

The Bulls would be foolish to trade a good chunk of their core in exchange for just one player. Orlando would never willingly accept New Jersey's offer for Dwight Howard. Dwight Howard would never accept a trade to Utah or Houston.

The Lakers are the most likely team to land Howard. However, the Miami Heat present the best trade value if they are convinced the LeBron-Wade alliance will not win multiple championships.

The beauty of the Dwight Howard trade market is everyone understands any potential team is willing to pull the trigger on a deal.

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