When it comes to Dwight Howard, this years' NBA trade rumors have to go down as one of legend as new details of a four team blockbuster trade circulate.
According to ESPN, the LA Clippers have offered to join the Cleveland Cavaliers in a four team trade with the Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic, all in order to help the Nets acquire Howard.
According to sources the Nets would receive Howard, Jason Richardson, Chris Duhon and Earl Clark. The Magic would get Brook Lopez, Luke Watson, Damion James, Shelden Williams, Armon Johnson and three first-round picks-two from the Nets and a lottery-protected first from the Clippers. The Cavs would get Kris Humphries, Quentin Richardson, Sundiata Gaines, a first-round pick from the Nets and $3 million in cash. The Clippers would receive MarShon Brooks.
The deal may also involve the Charlotte Bobcats replacing the Cavaliers, league sources told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher.
Sources told ESPN.com that the complicated deal was getting "close", but there is another potential hurdle that the Nets and Magic are fighting.
Multiple league executives believe there is a growing reluctance among some teams to participate in the sort of three-team deal that would get Howard to Brooklyn, in midst of some league wide dissatisfaction that the Los Angeles Lakers were able to pull a deal for Steve Nash just last week.
Being the cog in creating another super team in Brooklyn, it's not welcoming to some teams concerned about competitive balance.
Either way, if the Nets manage to pull this one off you'd have to give that front office a pat on the back. Hopefully all this determination for one guy won't blow up in their face and, if, when Howard arrives, the Nets will make an immediate splash as legitimate threats in the Eastern Conference.
