Orlando Magic superstar Dwight Howard has requested a trade to the New Jersey Nets, league sources told Yahoo! Sports on Saturday. Read more after the jump.
Orlando GM Otis Smith has made it clear that he will trade Howard wherever the Magic get the best possible package, but the fact that Howard is willing to sign a five-year, $109 million extension with New Jersey makes it likely that the Nets can be the most aggressive in offering an attractive package
Smith confirmed that Howard has asked to be traded to the Orlando Sentinel on Saturday afternoon.
Los Angeles had long been a preferred choice of Howard’s, but sources say that several factors have pushed him toward the Nets over the Lakers. Howard has a strong relationship with Deron Williams, and has also resisted following the same career path as Shaquille O’Neal, who left the Magic for the Lakers two decades ago.
The Nets are offering a package centered on Brook Lopez, and multiple first-round picks, sources said. New Jersey could also be looking for deals to sweeten its offer to Orlando. The Nets have been determined to make a deal for Howard, one of the league’s most dominant players, to be a centerpiece for them as the move into the new Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn next season. Howard could pair with All-Star point guard Deron Williams to make the Nets instant Eastern Conference contenders.
The Magic are still focused on a possible trade to the Lakers, sources said, for a package that would includeAndrew Bynum. The Magic want to unload Hedo Turkoglu in any deal that includes Howard. The Nets, flush with salary cap space, would likely take Turkoglu into a deal.
Howard prefers to the Nets over the Lakers, but hasn’t ruled out the possibility that he would sign a long-term extension with L.A. should he be traded there.
Howard has determined that he wants to be the centerpiece of the new Brooklyn arena, and pair up with All-Star guard Deron Williams when the Nets to move to New York next season.
Orlando officials have resisted being told where Howard wants to be traded, sources said, but understand it will be difficult to get a strong trade package elsewhere if Howard won’t commit to re-signing with that team. After opting out of his contract on July 1, Howard would be eligible for a five year, $109 million extension with the Nets.
