The Dwight Howard drama is reaching its climax. Or is it another mini-climax followed by a dissatisfying resolution? Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld has more on a potential three-team deal that would put Howard in Los Angeles.
HOOPSWORLD has learned that there has been preliminary discussions between the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets that would involve sending Andrew Bynum to the Rockets and Howard to the Lakers.
The Magic are not necessarily in love with the idea of giving either Bynum or Lopez a sizable, long-term commitment as they go through a major roster overhaul. Draft picks and prospects, a la the Denver Nuggets’ return on Carmelo Anthony, is said to be more appealing to Orlando.
Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated adds the following.
With four-team Dwight Howard deal no longer in play, source says Houston is calling teams with cap space looking to dump more salary. The Rockets are still pushing hard to put the best package in front of Orlando, though @EricPincus is reporting the Rockets' target may be the Lakers' Andrew Bynum. Per Pincus, the Magic, Rockets and Lakers have had preliminary talks about a deal that would send Howard to the Lakers, Bynum to Houston and picks/prospects/cap relief to Orlando.
So basically, the Lakers would get Howard, the Rockets would get Bynum, and the Magic would get a bunch of assets back. A strange deal, but one that might potentially work for all three sides. Los Angeles gets its bona fide superstar center and a decent window to compete with Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Pau Gasol for championship. Andrew Bynum becomes a potential building block for the Rockets to develop and grow a team around, and they can try and woo and convince him to come back. And the Magic would have assets from the Rockets they could use to rebuild and restart as a franchise.
The Brooklyn Nets are not giving up on making a two-team deal with the Magic though to get Howard on their team. Don't expect anything to happen until it happens.
Talk about the proposed three-way trade with Rockets fans, hit up The Dream Shake; talk with Lakers fans by checking out Silver Screen and Roll; with Magic fans at Orlando Pinstriped Post.
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