The New Jersey Nets have three options concerning Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard: trade for him, hope the Magic keep him and he is in play during free agency, or lose him.
It's a tough spot the Nets are in, but one they must tackle. They gave up Devin Harris, Derrick Favors and two first-round picks just to get point guard Deron Williams, but that has left them lacking in other positions and with a 2-9 record.
Nonetheless, grabbing Howard is essential for a team that still needs another superstar to contend down the line. The Nets need to give up everything they can to land Howard, with the exception of Williams.
As Marc Stein of ESPN details, the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks are the teams the Nets need to be most concerned about. If another team in the running nabs Howard, there's still a chance he could opt for free agency and not sign an extension.
The general consensus is that the Lakers have the best chance to land Howard if they dangle Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, but Bynum has been on a tear this season and executive Jim Buss has repeatedly made it known he's fond of the Lakers' big man.
The concern for the Mavericks is that they'd basically have to wipe the entire slate clean minus Dirk Nowitzki to have enough cap space to afford Howard.
The fact that Howard has even listed the Nets as a preferred destination should have the team ecstatic. But you don't just nonchalantly land a player of Howard's caliber. It takes work and, more importantly, a lot of players and draft picks (probably more than what they gave up for Williams).
Let's be clear: Landing Howard wouldn't instantly make the Nets title contenders right away. The rest of the roster would likely be shot, and the Nets would likely not have enough draft picks to land enough impact players in the draft to make up the difference.
But it is something the Nets must do to build for the future. When you combine the best center in the league with one of the best point guards in the league, you have something similar to what's going on with the Los Angeles Clippers right now, who sport Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
The Nets have been grasping for a bright future for years now. If they landed Howard, they would have plenty of be hopeful for in the future.
Dustin Kohn Andrew McDonald Matt Martin Frans Nielsen Dwayne Roloson Jon Sim
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