NBA Trade Rumors: Dwight Howard Makes New Jersey Nets Instant Title Contenders

The Deron Williams-led New Jersey Nets were as poor as any team in the NBA last season when it came to winning basketball games, as the team put up a dreadful 24-58 record.

Yet, there is one player that has the impact to change New Jersey's losing ways. That player, without question, is Dwight Howard.

According to Central Florida News, the Orlando Magic All-Star center could be traded to the Nets as soon as Tuesday. The source credited for the rumor is KCAL and ESPN Radio Los Angeles' John Ireland.

Adding a player like Dwight Howard to the New Jersey Nets roster gives the team a chance at immediately contending in the Eastern Conference.

Howard is not only considered a talent playing in his prime years, but is also easily the most dominant the league has to offer.

Last season with the Magic, Howard posted a jaw-dropping 22.9 points, 14.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game in 78 starts. The 22.9 points and 1.4 steals per game are both career-high numbers, while the 14.1 rebounds was just shy of his career high of 14.2 per game.

The Nets were poor when it came to scoring and rebounding the basketball as a team last season, ranking No. 28 in points scored per game and No. 17 in rebounds per contest.

Those numbers are without a doubt one of the indicators that Howard will be the real deal for the Nets.

Outside of the numbers, however, is what makes this move all the more promising for New Jersey.

Howard is a dominant, athletic force that is hard to come by in the league.

Offensively, his ability to find the ball around the rim and make tough put-backs on missed shots makes life difficult for opposing defenses. Not to mention at times he requires double teams, which leaves teammates open to cash in on jumpers on the perimeter. His ability to open up the floor will be a big-time factor.

Players like Williams, Anthony Morrow and Jordan Farmar will make the most of the extra space and be big-time factors this season.

Defensively, his presence alone gives teams something to think about. When players like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, or any top-notch scorer in the league takes the ball to the rim, you better believe these guys will think twice.

As much promise as a player like Brook Lopez has shown, a player likely to be dealt to the Magic in the process, Lopez does not instill fear in opposing players the way Howard does.

He has a special respect around the league for being a dominant defender, as he has been the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year three straight seasons.

If the Nets are to acquire Howard, they immediately become a playoff and NBA championship contender. They have the pieces in Howard and Williams to build around, and will feature talent that will dominate at both of those positions.

Expect a turnaround season from the New Jersey Nets in 2012 if Superman flies North to New Jersey.