Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: Most Likely Destinations for Magic Center
While the Chris Paul drama stole the show of the early NBA shortened offseason, Dwight Howard is making a strong push in his highly publicized and dramatized request for a trade.
His short list, according to ESPN, includes the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and the New Jersey Nets, but Otis Smith has opened Howard up to anyone that is interested. While several teams with enticing assets will look to trade for Howard, it is the most aggressive team that will come out on top—the team willing to offer the most.
Several teams were skeptical to toss in young talent in the Chris Paul talks. Stephen Curry (via NBC Sports) and Eric Gordon (via SB Nation) were ruled out of trade talks with the Hornets, which ultimately ruled out the Warriors and the Clippers, respectively. However, teams are more likely to toss out young and talented players for Howard, who is more of a sure thing. He's less injury prone than Paul and is a physical specimen that has never been seen before in NBA history.
Teams will be lining up at the door for Howard, but these are the teams with the best chance to land him.
5. Dallas Mavericks
1 of 5The Mavericks, one of the teams on Dwight Howard's wish list, aren't very likely to get Howard. However, since it's a place he's interested in, Dallas and Orlando will more than explore a potential trade.
The Mavericks don't have terribly much to offer—nothing young and promising at least. Maybe they can trade Rodrigue Beabouis and Lamar Odom, but given Odom's sensitive reaction to his failed trade to New Orleans, I doubt he'll appreciate being tossed around like a bag of chips.
The Mavericks have a team that can compete right now, but their window is closing quickly. Howard opens that window all the way back up, but Dallas just doesn't have the pieces to make this deal happen. They'd have to get a third party involved, and even then it's up in the air.
Dallas may be on Howard's wish list, but it's not on Otis Smith's wish list for ideal trading partners.
4. Golden State Warriors
2 of 5After they refused to trade Stephen Curry for Chris Paul, the Warriors backed out of the trade talks with the New Orleans Hornets and decided to stand pat.
The Magic would likely ask for either Curry or Monta Ellis and would like to get a potential filled player like Ekpe Udoh as well. The Warriors would be foolish not to pull the trigger on this one. Howard is arguably the best player in the entire league and getting him would sure up defensive efficiency, and, with Ellis or Curry, would create one of the best one-two scoring punches in the NBA.
The Warriors have the same number of assets for Howard as the Hawks or the Trail Blazers, but Golden State's ownership has shown its aggression, and it will look to pounce on Howard's potential arrival in the Bay Area.
Look for the Warriors to get involved in these talks and back out less quickly. They'll offer what they can for Dwight, but there are others whose offers might be even better.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
3 of 5The Lakers were just victims of one of the most petty and scheming acts in NBA history as David Stern vetoed the Chris Paul trade from New Orleans to Los Angeles.
While Paul will not be in a Lakers uniform this year, there is a chance the Lakers get Dwight Howard, whose presence would be even better than Paul's.
They'd likely have to part ways with both Bynum and Gasol, as well as probably having to deal with the loss of one of their young projects like Darius Morris or Devin Ebanks. The Lakers would willingly make this trade, but the issue is that there will be better offers on the table. While L.A. is one of Howard's preferred destinations, it's not the destination on Howard's mind.
2. Chicago Bulls
4 of 5The Chicago Bulls have reportedly gotten in on the Dwight Howard trade fiasco, SB Nation says.
They have a plethora of assets that they could throw at Orlando, like Joakim Noah and Luol Deng. Kyle Korver, Taj Gibson, Ronnie Brewer and Omer Asik will be the other names thrown in, and you can bet that Otis Smith and the Magic front office will give whatever trade proposal is on the table serious consideration.
Teaming up with Derrick Rose should be on Howard's short list, but it didn't seem to be one of his primary objectives. Still, if that opportunity presented itself, I'm sure Howard would sign an extension and hope to compete for a championship for the rest of his career, or at least his would-be tenure with the Bulls.
Chicago has all the young pieces Orlando wants, and the Magic will be listening when the Bulls come knocking.
1. New Jersey Nets
5 of 5The New Jersey Nets are the front-runner for Dwight Howard and his preferred landing spot, according to Yahoo! Sports. While the Nets can't offer everything Chicago, Los Angeles or even Golden State can, they have Howard pushing for that spot.
They could likely duel out Anthony Morrow or Marshon Brooks along with Brook Lopez and some picks for Howard. Getting a third team involved would likely help New Jersey, as Orlando would then receive more players than the just the New Jersey rejects.
The Nets traded quite a few assets for Deron Williams before last season's All-Star break, and they'll be looking to trade the rest for Howard.
New Jersey seems like the most realistic destination for Dwight at this point, and as long as he keeps pushing for a seat alongside Deron Williams, he might just get his wish.
