It’s entirely possible this has become worse than the Carmelo Anthony situation last year. Dwight Howard has reportedly chosen his destination.
Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld.com writes that Dwight Howard has chosen the Nets as his future home.
“Multiple sources believe Howard will force his way to the Nets and he certainly has leverage, just like Carmelo Anthony had last year when he would only agree to sign an extension with the New York Knicks. Howard wants to team up with Deron Williams, loves the idea of playing in Brooklyn and knows that the front office will involve him in the decision-making process.”
Kennedy went on to reference Jarrod Rudolph with RealGM, who says that nothing says the Nets have to trade for Howard this season if he insists on going to New Jersey/Brooklyn. They will have the cap space to sign him outright. Given how poorly the Magic have been playing lately, maybe it would be best to deal Howard this season. Look at how much better Denver played after they traded Anthony last season. I do not think the Nets can offer the talent the Knicks gave the Nuggets, but I would think a Howard trade would at least boost team morale.
If Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov pulls a James Dolan and insists the Nets get Howard this season, here is one possible Howard to the Nets trade:
Howard for Brook Lopez, MarShon Brooks, Damion James and Mehmet Okur. This would probably involve a couple draft picks and if the Nets had to, they could take back Quentin Richardson or Hedo Turkoglu’s contract. This would give the Magic two solid pieces in Lopez and Brooks as well as $11 million in expiring contracts since the Nets did not pick up Damion James’ contract option.
I still do not think this is going anywhere before the All-Star game. Can you imagine Dwight Howard starting for the East and not being a member of the Magic? Plus, Otis Smith has proven himself to be incredibly stubborn. The Nets are currently three games out of eighth place in the Eastern Conference, but I would be willing to bet on a Deron Williams-Dwight Howard duo leading a team to a playoff spot in the East this year.
