Dwight Howard: 5 Teams That Can Offer More Than the LA Lakers

The hottest trade rumor that doesn’t have the chance to be vetoed by the league right now is Dwight Howard to the LA Lakers.

Howard could play for a team that can offer him all of the glitz and glamour that comes with being a star center in the second-biggest media market in the world. He would be able to play alongside Kobe Bryant and join Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal on the list of incredible big men to join the Lakers in the prime of their careers.

Funny thing is, that’s not the best offer Howard can take. There are plenty of other teams that don’t have the drama and awful head coach of the Lakers. More importantly, there are other teams that can offer him more money and shot attempts.

Sure, Howard claims the Nets, Mavericks and Lakers are the only teams he would play for, but I’m here to open his mind. Here are five teams he should consider before heading to the Left Coast.

5. New York Knicks

The Knicks could offer Amar'e Stoudemire and picks to Orlando, and bring Howard to the Mecca of Basketball.

Does Howard care about the history of basketball?

Would he take a small pay cut to play in Madison Square Garden?

The salary he would surrender would be more than made up for in lucrative advertising deals that come with living in the biggest media market in the entire country.

Pairing Howard with Carmelo would be a great fit, and it may be the move that somehow lands Chris Paul in town as well.

Make no mistake about it—a Howard-'Melo-CP3 tandem would be the best threesome in the entire league. 

4. Dallas Mavericks

So far the Mavs have lost Tyson Chandler and probably JJ Barea, but gained Lamar Odom. They need a center who can block shots and rebound in the paint while providing toughness.

The Mavs are coming off a championship, and if they can add the best center in the league, it’s hard to picture them getting worse.

It remains to be seen exactly how much the Mavs would have to give up or how much they can pay him, but if winning is the only priority, then suiting up alongside Dirk Nowitzki is the best option.

Maybe that’s why it’s one of Howard's preferred destinations. 

3. Chicago Bulls

The Bulls have one of the top 10 players in the NBA in Derrick Rose, and the guy is barely able to legally drink.

The reigning MVP was derailed in the playoffs thanks in large part because they didn’t have a consistent presence in the paint. Carlos Boozer was wildly disappointing, and Joakim Noah is a non-factor on the offensive end.

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the Bulls have the ability to make a deal happen:

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"As the Bulls remained poised to sign veteran shooting guard Richard Hamilton once his buyout from the Pistons becomes official, a bigger target emerged. Think really big. Think Dwight Howard. Sources said the Bulls, who can build a package around cap relief, young talent and attractive draft picks, will enter trade talks."

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The Bulls are ready to win now and would be the favorite to win a championship if Howard was shipped off to The Windy City. The window for winning is wide open in Chicago, and Howard would have the opportunity to win multiple championships for the next decade.

You certainly couldn't say that about Dallas. 

2. New Jersey Nets

The Nets have a unique opportunity to sway free agents because their owners are a Russian billionaire who seems really cool and a rapper who everybody knows is really cool.

Being able to hang out with Jay-Z in his various clubs around New York City while being worshipped by fans would be an experience no other team could provide.

Howard has the unique opportunity to usher in the franchise to Brooklyn and be a part of something brand new. He would be the face of the franchise and could potentially be the man to resurrect a franchise that needs a giant boost.

The Nets can offer Howard a max contract and a point guard in Deron Williams who would set him up for easy basket after easy basket.

Only the Bulls with D-Rose could match the talent of Williams. 

1. Orlando Magic

Howard can extinguish all of the controversy by sucking it up and sticking with the team that drafted him—it would certainly be the savviest PR move.

With the team getting rid of Gilbert Arenas via the amnesty clause, they have more cap space, and still have strong players in Jason Richardson and the newly acquired Glen "Big Baby" Davis. The Magic may not be able to win this year, but the future is no longer incredibly cloudy with Agent Zero’s awful contract a thing of the past.

No other team can offer Howard more money on top of the fact Florida residents don’t pay state income tax.

If Howard wants to cash in, shed the "Prima Donna" label and push toward getting the only franchise he’s ever known their first championship. He would be a legend.

Whining until he gets dealt to a team with other stars would just prove Howard was taking the LeBron James route.

How has that worked out so far?