Where the Dwight Howard Situation Stands Regarding the Nets

I can’t wait for the Dwight situation to reach a resolution, the suspense is killing me

If you’re a Nets fan that watches a lot of NBA coverage on TV and reads up on the recent happenings and rumors about the Association, then you are probably very excited or nervous about the Dwight Howard situation right now. As of right now, Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith has kept his stance of not trading the star center and according to what he has told the media, Smith thinks that Dwight will end up re-signing with the Magic this offseason. As a result, he says that he has no plans to trade him.

This current development leaves the Nets in a very tough place regarding their pursuit of Howard. GM Billy King can go the route of upping the team’s potential trade offer to Orlando by adding draft picks or young players (unfortunately for Nets fans, MarShon Brooks would fit this category) to the deal. By going this direction, the Nets would most likely trade for Dwight around the March 15th deadline but would probably lose Brook Lopez, Marshon, Morrow, Humphries, and possibly a first-round pick or two in the process. However, he will have reached his desired destination of New Jersey and will most likely sign a long-term extension with the Nets. That means that he and Deron Williams, serving as superstar anchors, would lead the Nets into Brooklyn with one of the Eastern Conference’s most intimidating teams.

Of course, the positives of the Nets giving up the farm for Howard would be that Dwight and Deron would be safely with the Nets for the foreseeable future instead of teaming up with another franchise. Billy King will have realized his goal of building a super-team and will have turned this franchise into a playoff contender and possible championship team. However, with the in-season trade for Howard, there are certainly downsides when compared to waiting for free agency to sign Dwight.
After the trade, the only decent talent left on the Nets roster would be in their two superstars, mirroring the situation the Knicks faced last season after completing their “super-team” by trading for Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks had a losing record after the trade because, other than Amare and Melo, they had no one good left on their roster as most of their depth was traded to Denver. The Nets do not want this to happen to them because the Knicks haven’t developed as a contender in the East due to the lack of supporting talent left on their roster.

On the other hand, Billy King could play the patience card and, instead of trying to trade for Howard mid-season, he could wait until after the season and try to sign him as a free agent. Obviously, waiting for free agency is a very risky move for King to make as Howard could end up on another team in a trade or even sign elsewhere before the Nets even have a chance to get him. The overwhelming positive is that the Nets would be able to add Dwight to their team without having to give up talented and highly-valued pieces like Brook Lopez, Marshon Brooks, Kris Humphries, Anthony Morrow, and  multiple first-round draft picks for the next few seasons.

I think Billy King should go for option two simply because it appears that Dwight wants to join D-Will with the Nets. If this were to be true, then Dwight will end up in New Jersey regardless of where he ends the 2011-12 season. This being because he becomes a free agent at the end of this season. If Dwight wants to be a Net so badly, then no one can stop him from signing with New Jersey during this upcoming offseason simply due to his impending free agent status. However, it may be hard for King to turn down a Magic trade offer in early March because a trade would basically resolve the “Dwight-mare” and cement the Nets’ talent level for the next few years at the least. I have faith in an experienced GM like Billy King and I really don’t care when the Nets get Howard; I just want them to get him at some point.