NBA Rumors: Brook Lopez's Injury Will Help Franchise Acquire Dwight Howard

While it may not seem so, Brook Lopez getting hurt only made the Nets' chances of getting Dwight Howard better.

As Howard Beck of the New York Times stated, a trade that the Nets would make to get Howard would have to include Lopez. From that end, this isn't good. But it wouldn't be a straight Lopez for Howard trade. That's never been on the table. 

While Lopez's injury does hurt his value, it makes the next most valuable piece in that trade even more valuable. Beck also accurately pointed out that any trade involving Howard would also send New Jersey's first-round pick to Orlando. 

With Lopez out, that pick just got exponentially better. Even if the Nets still make the playoffs, their record will not be as good with Lopez missing as much time as he's likely going to miss. 

The Magic don't need to trade Howard now. As a matter of fact, they're better off keeping Howard around and moving him when the season begins. By then, teams will know exactly what they need, and whether or not they're contenders. That will add an element of desperation. 

So, imagine this scenario. The Nets are struggling to be competitive in a deep Eastern Conference. Pending free agent Deron Williams is still not signed and growing increasingly unhappy playing for a losing team. The Nets know that they will need to make a splash to get Williams to stay.

The Nets now have a potential lottery pick to move, and there's no way they won't be a little more willing to put up some more value to bring Howard in. Doing that would not only get them Howard, but would also give them some ammunition to keep Williams. 

That's a hypothetical, but it's not exactly hard to see that happening. Actually, it's quite likely. 

If Howard was going to be traded before the season begins, then this injury would all but kill the Nets' chances of getting him. But that's not going to happen. 

The Magic have no reason to rush this trade. The longer they wait, the more value the rest of the package is going to get. That will also make the Nets more desperate.

It may or may not help the team, but it does increase their chances of getting Howard. 

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