NBA Trade Rumors: Top Destinations for Dwight Howard After Brook Lopez Injury

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has made it known he wants a trade, and the New Jersey Nets looked to be the front-runners to land him even though Magic GM Otis Smith has pulled Howard off the trade block for the time being.

The recent injury to New Jersey's Brook Lopez complicates things a lot for the Nets to remain players for Howard.

With that being said, here's a look at the top contenders to acquire Howard.

5. Los Angeles Clippers

This is a very unlikely scenario and the Clippers aren't one of the teams on Howard's list, but they have become an attractive landing place for any superstar.

They still have some trade-able assets they could use in a Howard deal, but the Clippers would have to get creative to make Howard fit under the salary cap.

4. Chicago Bulls

Howard will have to sign an extension with any team that tries to acquire him and Chicago isn't a team on his list.

But the longer Howard remains in a Magic uniform, the more chance other teams have to get involved.

If Howard is still in Orlando close to the trade deadline, Chicago can use reigning MVP Derrick Rose as a good selling point for Howard to sign with the Bulls.

3. Dallas Mavericks

Dallas certainly doesn't have the young assets that Orlando would need in any deal for, but Mark Cuban has been creative before and may be able to come up with something to lure Howard to the defending NBA champions.

The Mavericks have been clearing cap room to attempt to sign Howard and Deron Williams next season, but they could get involved in the sweepstakes for Howard this year.

2. Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers haven't done much this offseason, but that all changes if they can acquire Howard.

It may cost them both Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, a package of draft picks and some talent from a third team, but they may eventually have to step up and get a deal done.

1. New Jersey Nets

Even with the injury to Lopez, the Nets still have to be the front-runner for Howard.

Brooklyn seems like the place Howard wants to be and the Nets have been the only team willing to take on a pair of bad contracts from the Magic, offer up some young talent and a ton of draft picks.

It may not happen until the trade deadline now, but the Nets are still Howard's likely landing place.