After the seemingly endless trade speculation surrounding Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic ultimately decided to make a four-team trade that would send the superstar center to the Los Angeles Lakers instead of the Brooklyn Nets.
It was no secret that Howard desired to play alongside Deron Williams in Brooklyn. Even though Howard never publicly admitted that he wanted to be dealt to the Nets during his time with the Magic, the Lakers’ newest superstar came clean recently via Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com:
“I did want to go to Brooklyn. That’s a place where I told the Magic that I really wanted to go,” to Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco on ESPN NewYork 98.7 FM. “[But] I was traded to the Lakers, and I think it was a blessing in disguise.
” … I think there’s a reason why everything happened the way it happened. So far it’s been an unbelievable experience for me. … It’s like a dream come true.”
While the Magic’s front office explored trade scenarios, it was abundantly clear that the now-Brooklyn Nets were on top of Howard’s wish list of trade destinations. Howard landing in Brooklyn appeared to be a foregone conclusion, as Orlando seemingly considered all other teams interested to be nothing more than secondary options.
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Ultimately, Howard ended up in Los Angeles and appears to be extremely happy about the way things worked out. There is still a lot of speculation about whether or not Howard will re-sign with the team once Howard is officially an unrestricted free agent next summer, but the perennial All-Star seems to be leaning towards signing a long-term deal with the Lakers.
Howard would actually leave quite a bit of money on the table if he decided to sign with another team in July, as the Lakers can offer more money than any other team. The Lakers can offer upwards of $100 million over five years to the future face of the franchise. It is doubtful, to say the least, that Howard will sign with another team.
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In case you missed it: Dwight Howard talks about his Lakers debut.
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