Dwight Howard repeatedly has said he's only interested in signing a long-term deal with one team, the Brooklyn Nets. Yet, the Nets might not have the assets to acquire Howard from Orlando, but money certainly won't be an issue.
The New York Daily News reported that Nets owner, Mikhail Prokhorov, could have to pay $107.5 million luxury taxes over the next four years should they acquire Howard. With all those big bucks placed on the table, the organization still plans on aggressively pursuing the All-Star center.
With an approximate worth of $13 billion, Prokhorov is unmoved by the hefty luxury tax payments and wants to build the Nets into a championship contender. So far he's been willing to open his wallet for Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, and Gerald Wallace. Without-a-doubt he'd do the same for Howard if it meant adding him to the line-up.
However, reports show that the Magic are in no rush to deal Howard. It's obvious the Magic would prefer trading Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers for Andrew Bynum over the Nets' proposal of Lopez, MarShon Brooks, and three first-round draft picks.
The Lakers have the best asset to trade the Magic, this much is clear. What remains unclear is the level of commitment to any team Howard has hesitations about playing for.
New Magic GM Rob Hennigan has engaged with the Nets in trade talk, but CBS Sports' Ken Berger reported he has also done so with the Lakers, Hawks, and Houston Rockets. Berger even went on to say that the deal with the Nets wasn't imminent.
The Dallas Mavericks are also expected to make a run after Howard at some point during this long off season.
