"Dwight Howard Really Wants To Be a Laker"

[Maleko]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/1...cal-for-lakers

Of the teams Howard is likely to consider when exercising his early-termination option after next season -- sources say the Lakers, Knicks and Nets are the strong favorites -- L.A. is the one with the most attractive trade assets.

"Everybody knows that Dwight Howard wants to be a Laker," said a person familiar with the All-Star center's plans. "They're going to lose Dwight Howard for nothing. He's not staying there. Dwight Howard is going to be in the same mode as LeBron James."

So let's say both teams want to re-invent themselves. Otis is friends and likes Arenas, so let's take him out of the conversation, and there is no way in hell Buss/Kupchak take Turkoglu. So what would work?

Orl: Gasol, Bynum, Artest.
LAL: Howard, Jameer Nelson, Brandon Bass.

LAL
PG: Nelson, Blake, Fisher
SG: Kobe, Brown
SF: Barnes, Ebanks, Walton
PF: Odom, Bass, Caracter
C: Howard.
Have 4(!) 2nd rnd draft picks this year.

ORL
PG: Arenas, Duhon
SG: Richardson*, Reddick, QRich
SF: Artest, Turkoglu
PF: Gasol, Earl Clark, Ryan Anderson
C: Bynum, Daniel Orton

*both sides say they want to re-sign.

Depth and weakness is an issue for the Lakers at SF, and the Magic at PG. Both would be some re-invention, but ultimately if the Magic truly believe Howard would leave, this is by far the best they can get. Of course trading Howard to the Lakers instilling the memories of Shaq could get Otis...

[Maleko]

Let's say Otis turns on his friend Glibert, and forces him into the trade:

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMa...radeId=3t3ah4o
Orl: Gasol, Bynum, Artest, Walton, Blake.
LAL: Howard, Arenas, Jameer Nelson, Brandon Bass.

LAL
PG: Nelson, Arenas, Fisher
SG: Kobe, Brown
SF: Barnes, Ebanks
PF: Odom, Bass, Caracter
C: Howard.
Have 4(!) 2nd rnd draft picks this year.

ORL
PG: Blake, Duhon
SG: Richardson*, Reddick, QRich
SF: Artest, Turkoglu, Walton
PF: Gasol, Earl Clark, Ryan Anderson
C: Bynum, Daniel Orton

*both sides say they want to re-sign.

[Maleko]

Or let's say that Kupchak and Buss have a brain aneurism and do the unthinkable and take Turkoglu:

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMa...radeId=3hsbtw2

Orl: Gasol, Bynum, Artest, Walton, Blake.
LAL: Howard,Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson, Brandon Bass.

LAL
PG: Nelson, Fisher
SG: Kobe, Brown
SF: Barnes, Ebanks, Turkoglu
PF: Odom, Bass, Caracter
C: Howard.
Have 4(!) 2nd rnd draft picks this year.

ORL
PG: Blake, Duhon
SG: Richardson*, Reddick, QRich
SF: Artest, Walton
PF: Gasol, Earl Clark, Ryan Anderson
C: Bynum, Daniel Orton

*both sides say they want to re-sign.

[Apollo]

If Dwight plans on going to the Lakers one way or another then the Magic have little leverage. They're going to have to take what they can get.

[LBF]

i'm pretty sure bass would start over barnes and odom would be start sf.

[albertan_10]

i would not like DH if he left.

[Maleko]

If Dwight plans on going to the Lakers one way or another then the Magic have little leverage. They're going to have to take what they can get.

If that's the case I would go for the first scenario

[ceez]

The lakers have been in "win now" mode for so long it's going to be tough to get some players cause they don't really have any tradeable pieces outside of Bynum who they should keep. If I'm them I try to move Gasol. He's a allstar big man and could fetch something decent in return. Not sure Artest or Odom get them very much due to their age.

[ceez]

A guy like Calderon makes a ton of sense for them, he'd upgrade their PG spot dramatically, but there's no one on that team I'd want, really. Maybe Shannon Brown and next years first rounder?

[MangoKid]

..and Brown's a FA looking for a payday.

[Raptors_]

bring D howard to T Dot.

[Maleko]

How about another team added in:

LAL: DHoward, JNelson, AIguodala
Lineup of: PG: JNelson (DFisher) SG: Kobe (SBrown), SF: AIguodala (Barnes, DEbanks,Walton), PF: LOdom (Caracter), C: DHoward. plus they have 4 2nd rnd picks and vet mins to sign to get backup PFs and C (Magloire to backup DHoward?)

PHI: ABynum, HTurkoglu, SBlake
Lineup of: PG: JHoliday (SBlake,LWilliams) SG: ETurner (JMeeks) SF: TYoung (ANocioni,CBrackens) PF: HTurkoglu-for now, maybe re-sign DSongalia C: ABynum (MSpeights,SHawes) plus a 1st and a 2nd rndr this draft targeting a PF.

ORL: PGasol, EBrand, RArtest
Lineup of: PG: GArenas (CDuhon), SG: JRichardson (Reddick), SF: RArtest (QRichardson), PF: EBrand (BBass,RAnderson,EClark), C: PGasol (DOrton) plus 1 2nd rnd pick. Likely looking for a vet min SF, perhaps C but big rotation of EB, PG, BB and RA should work.

Why?:
Lakers obviously for Howard, strangely JNelson would be an upgrade at PG, and Iguodala would be a huge upgrade. Rumours of off-court turmoil between Kobe and Gasol, impatience with Artest...they win big which is what makes this most unlikely.

Orlando - must believe they are losing Howard, get talent in the front court and a headcase but solid SF in Artest. Get a fairly decent return for Howard instead of nothing. Basically playing damage control.

Philly - duh. Get rid of their 2 worst contracts which nobody thought they could, and get the youth movement in gear with Turner, Holiday, TYoung and Bynum, perhaps Faried at PF if they draft him.