By: Martin Rand, III
Date: June 15, 2011
Since the NBA season is over, the only thing to talk about is free agency; and this year's free agent discussion is circling around Dwight Howard. The talk has been there all season; but since earlier this week, when Howard stated clearly that he will not sign an extension with the Magic, the talk has intensified.
What should the Orlando Magic, do? The answer is simple: TRADE HIM IMMEDIATELY!!!! It was understandable earlier in the season when the Magic said they would not trade Howard because he was indecisive about what he was going to do in the future. However, now they now know Howard is going to leave town, the best option is trading him for pieces that can help them in the future.
There are five teams that will benefit both Howard, in his aspirations of winning a title, and give the Magic good players in return.
This is the best solution for both parties involved. The Magic would get a great young piece in Andrew Bynum and there is a team option on his contract for the 2012-2013 season. They could also get a young defensive wing player like a Devin Ebanks, which would come in handy in a division with a lot of talented wing players. Of course, Howard will be pleased because he will instantly be on a title contending team with, one of the greatest players ever to play in the NBA, Kobe Bryant.
With the Nets acquiring all-star point gaurd Deron Williams last season, the Nets could get Howard. The Magic would get in return young all-star center Brook Lopez and back-up center Johan Petro. They could also get Travis Outlaw for perimeter help; but his contract is worth a lot of money going into the future, so they may not get him. Howard will get to play with Williams and gain huge marketability living in the New York area.
The Bulls would be a great place for Howard; and it could happen easily, only if the Bulls are willing to part ways with Joakim Noah. We saw how this played out last season when they had the opportunity to get Carmelo Anthony; and all they had to was throw Noah in the deal and they refused. In hindsight, it seems they made the right decision; but how could they not want to give up a great defensive player for a player who has won defensive player of the year multiple times, and can give you 20 and 20 on any given night. They could even get a nice young power forward in Taj Gibson, who showed what he could really do in this year's playoffs. If the trade happens, the Bulls starting line-up would like Derrick Rose, Ronnie Brewer, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Howard. How could Howard say no to that possibility.
The only way the Thunder will get Howard is to trade Russell Westbrook. That sounds crazy but its really not. In this year's playoffs, Westbrook showed his greatness and his inconsistency. They could get the Magic to give up Jameer Nelson; and if not, Eric Maynor showed that he is a better PURE point guard than Westbrook and could be the starting point guard. The Thunder would also give up Kendrick Perkins to give the Magic another starting center and possibly back-up center Cole Aldrich. Howard would want to play with Kevin Durant and those two would a great nucleus for a title team.
This one is a stretch. I think the Magic wouldn't want to trade Howard within the same conference let alone the same division, but it makes sense to trade him to the Heat. For the Heat, they are in dire need of help on the inside because Chris Bosh is not a true center, but Bosh could make a good power forward in a line-up with Howard at center. That just leaves either Dwyane Wade or LeBron James that would have to get traded. This would be a straight up trade up for Howard and either player. I would choose to trade Wade, only because of his age. He is going to be 30 yrs old and has been injury prone for his whole career. James is the best player in the league; and once he gets over that mental hump of his, the titles are going to come easy with that line-up, which is exactly why Howard would want to play there.
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