Report: Nets GM Billy King Is Looking To Trade For Dwight Howard
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Remember those Dwight Howard-to-the-Nets rumors?
You didn't think those would go away forever, did you?
Good, because after a long hiatus they've resurfaced.
According to Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM, Nets general manager Billy King is "quietly" looking for a third team to work with in an effort to complete a blockbuster trade that would send the 6-foot-11 center to Brooklyn.
Rudolph reported that King wanted to facilitate a deal that would involve Howard, the Timberwolves' Kevin Love and the Nets' Brook Lopez.
"According to sources, King was planning to contact the Minnesota Timberwolves in order to gauge their interest in a three-team trade that would send Kevin Love to the Lakers, Brook Lopez to the Timberwolves and Dwight Howard to the Nets," Rudolph wrote.
An injury to Love reportedly derailed that idea.
"King will still look around for an attractive piece for the Lakers, but won't make getting Howard as big a priority as last season," Rudolph reported, citing sources.
Prior to joining the Lakers, Howard said repeatedly that he would love to sign with Brooklyn, and the Nets' brass remains confident that they could ink the seven-time All-Star to a long-term deal.
Howard is in the midst of a one-year, $19.2 million contract with Los Angeles, and he will become a free agent this summer. If Brooklyn doesn't trade for the 27-year-old by the February 21 deadline, it could very well consider signing him in the offseason.
It's hasn't exactly been a fairy-tale season for the three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Earlier in the campaign rumors swirled that he and Kobe Bryant were having issues off the floor, and the Lakers have been arguably the most disappointing team in the NBA. A popular preseason favorite to win the championship, Los Angeles currently sits at 17-24, good enough for 12th place in the Western Conference.
In 38 games played this season, Howard is averaging 17.1 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.
The red-hot Nets, meanwhile, are 25-16 and fourth in the Eastern Conference.
In his fifth year in the league, Lopez is averaging 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game for Brooklyn.
Nets fans, would you trade Brook Lopez for Dwight Howard? Sound off with your thoughts and comments below!
