Orlando Magic: Is Dwight Howard Better off Re-Signing with the Team?

The NBA lockout has been over for nearly a month, and everyday, the Dwight Howard saga continues to gain steam. Many experts feel that Howard will be traded before the March 15 trade deadline; Otis Smith and fans in Orlando are hoping Howard signs an extension to remain in Orlando.

Howard has requested to be traded twice, with his primary destinations being the New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers. However, would Howard be better off remaining in Orlando?

The Orlando Magic are once again in the center of drama they’d rather not be a part of. Fifteen years ago, they watched Shaquille O’Neal walk away in free agency to the Los Angeles Lakers and received nothing in return.

Smith has stated several times that the Magic won’t allow Howard to depart Orlando without receiving compensation.  Let’s examine the three teams Howard has requested to be traded to and which franchise gives him the best opportunity for a NBA title.

New Jersey Nets

Dwight Howard has stated numerous times that New Jersey is the ideal franchise he would like to be traded to. He would like to play along with a true point guard in Deron Williams, something he has lacked his entire career in Orlando. 

Several weeks ago, New Jersey offered the Magic center Brook Lopez, along with two first-round draft picks, as well as Gerald Wallace coming over from the Portland Trail Blazers. Otis Smith made a wise decision in halting the trade, as the draft picks held little value if New Jersey made a playoff run, and Lopez is now injured.

Although the tandem of Howard and Williams would be a deadly combination, New Jersey would still be years away from a championship. New Jersey wouldn’t be able to rebuild through the draft, and they would lack depth and strong bench play. It would be 2014 before New Jersey would obtain another first-round draft pick, giving away two years of Howard and Williams in their prime. 

Orlando’s current roster is stronger than New Jersey’s at the current time. Orlando is better at every starting position besides point guard and has more depth at the bench. Howard has a better chance of winning a title in Orlando than in New Jersey.

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks are Dwight Howard’s second choice; however, it’s highly unlikely Orlando would trade him to Mark Cuban’s franchise. The Mavericks lost key trade assets through free agency in Caron Butler and Tyson Chandler. The current Dallas roster provides nothing of value to Orlando outside Dirk Nowitzki, and we all know Mark Cuban isn’t trading his franchise player.

However, Dallas still has an outside shot at obtaining Dwight Howard through free agency.  If Orlando decides to hold onto Howard after the March 15 trade deadline and he doesn’t resign in Orlando, than Dallas could bring in Dwight Howard and Deron Williams in the 2012 free agency summer. Williams is a native of Dallas, and the trio of Nowitzki, Howard and Williams would rival the Miami Heat’s big three for years to come.

This scenario is highly unlikely to occur, as Orlando would be foolish to let Howard walk through free agency. The Magic must receive something of value if Howard ultimately decides to walk, and the Dallas Mavericks have little to offer.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers currently have the best deal for Orlando, which would send Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol to Orlando for Dwight Howard. Yes, Bynum has well known knee problems, but his potential is limitless. Bynum and Gasol would keep the Magic in contention, and Bynum would be the most dominant big man in the Eastern Conference if he is healthy.

However, this is assuming the Lakers would be willing to part with both Bynum and Gasol.  With the injury to the New Jersey Nets' Brook Lopez, the Lakers now have leverage against the Magic. If the Magic don’t receive better offers before the March 15 trade deadline, they could be forced to move Howard to Los Angeles for Andrew Bynum, leaving Gasol, Bryant and Dwight Howard in Los Angeles.

Would that trio contend for an NBA title? Maybe, but Gasol and Bryant are moving past their prime. The Lakers would be handcuffed salary wise to bring in other free agents, meaning in two to three years, the Lakers would be rebuilding their team around Dwight Howard.

Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard may have the best opportunity to win a NBA title with the Orlando Magic.  As stated earlier, the Lakers and Nets would have to spend a couple of years building a championship contender. The likelihood of Howard and Deron Williams ending up with the Dallas Mavericks through free agency is slim.

Howard could recruit Williams to sign with Orlando and build a title contender with the Magic.  If the New Jersey Nets know Williams won’t re-sign at the end of the season, they will be in a similar situation that Orlando finds themselves in. The Magic could offer New Jersey draft picks, Jameer Nelson and Glen Davis or Jason Richardson in return for Williams. Would that be ideal for New Jersey? No, but it would be better than watching Williams walk away and receive no compensation.

However, this scenario depends on the fact that Howard wants to stay in Orlando. Although the Magic have made him a superstar in a mid-market city, the bright lights of Brooklyn or Los Angeles are understandably seductive to a young superstar like Dwight Howard. 

Ultimately, the decision rests on the massive shoulders of Howard. Magic fans everywhere are hoping he keeps the promise he made as an 18-year-old rookie: that he will make us all forget Shaq by bringing a NBA title to Orlando.