EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — It’s official: Dwight Howard wants to take his talents to Newark and, later, Brooklyn.
Howard formally has asked the Orlando Magic to be traded to the Nets, according to several reports Saturday.
The Orlando Sentinel first reported that Howard had asked Magic general manager Otis Smith for a trade on two separate occasions since Monday. Yahoo! [YHOO] Sports confirmed the report and said Howard’s top destination is the Nets.
The acquisition of Howard would be a franchise-changer, turning the Nets into an Eastern Conference power.
A Dwight Howard alliance with star point guard Deron Williams would give the Nets one of the most formidable duos in basketball. And it would give the franchise the star power to match next season’s high-profile move to Brooklyn and the $1 billion Barclays Center.
The Nets appear to be in the best position of any team trying to land Howard, much like the Knicks were before they traded for Carmelo Anthony last season.
But Howard’s desire to join the Nets is no guarantee it will happen.
A lot will depend on the Magic, who will do everything they can to get a significant return for their superstar.
Howard was granted permission Friday to talk to three teams: the Nets, Lakers and Mavericks. Of those teams, the Nets appear to have the most to offer.
As of late Saturday, the Lakers still have several assets, including Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, after a proposed trade for Hornets point guard Chris Paul fell apart, according to multiple reports.
The possibility of a deal to Los Angeles and playing with Kobe Bryant could be enough to convince Howard to make a long-term commitment to L.A.
The Nets’ offer for Howard reportedly would include center Brook Lopez and two-first round draft picks for next season. One of those picks, acquired from Houston, is lottery protected.
The Nets also are willing to take on Hedo Turkoglu and his bear of a contract — three years, about $34 million remaining.
With Howard willing to sign a five-year, $109 million extension with the Nets, according to Yahoo! Sports, the team might be willing to up its offer to complete the deal.
Nets GM Billy King has a history of making complex, multi-team deals, the exact kind of trade this situation could call for. Last season, King made two trades involving three teams or more.
Meanwhile, as the Nets become the apparent front-runner to land Howard, they seem to have put all other free-agency business on hold, including their pursuit of big man Nene.
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