Dwight Howard Trade Analysis

I wish we could call this the Andre Iguodala trade, or even the Moe Harkless trade, but the honest truth is that every single one of these players has Dwight Howard to thank for their new home. Lets take a look at each of these four teams, what they gained and lost, and how they will improve or worsen in the coming season.

(All info take from John Hollinger @ ESPN.com)

1. The Lakers give up Andrew Bynum and a protected 2017 first-round pick, and receive Howard.

The Lakers are obvious reasons here. They got the best center in basketball, and they didn’t have to give up the most well rounded power forward in the game to do it. Humongous deal. Can you imagine this team? Kobe, Nash, Howard, Gasol, and World Peace? That is a fantastic starting lineup. The Lakers are definitely right back up in title contention this year.

2. The Nuggets give up Arron Aflalo, Al Harrington and a protected first-round pick, and receive Andre Iguodala.

I actually really like this trade for the Nuggets as well. Big Al is past his prime, and Afflalo is probably making more money than he is worth. Iguodala fits in really well with the fat pace that George Karl likes to use, and his defensive ability can make a real differene with this team. He will probably play the 3, with Danilo Galinari playing the 2. This team probably wasn’t please to see the Lakers get better, but they improved themselves this season and beyond.

3. The Sixers give up Iguodala, Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless and a protected first-round pick that can be no earlier than 2015, and receive Bynum and Jason Richardson.

Philadelphia hasn’t had a really good post player since…Moses Malone? Derrick Coleman? (haha) anyway, I am sure that they jumped on this chance to acquire Andrew Bynum. He will absolutely anchor this team, and allow their preassure defense to be even more intense.

4. The Magic give up Howard and Richardson, and receive Afflalo, Harrington, Vucevic, Harkless and the three protected first-round picks mentioned above.

The Magic are not improved through this trade. We all knew that would happen, it was all about getting better in the future. Only time will tell if this trade helps in that regard. The first round picks are all lottery protected, so they will have to draft really well for them to matter. I am a fan of Moe Harkless, and Vucevic played some decent minutes for Philly last year. However, these players are both young, and they join a Magic team that looks to lose a lot of games this year.

Well, Dwight Howard got what he wanted. We will have to see if he actually re-signs with the Lakers after this season, or if he ditches the West coast and heads back to Atlanta, his childhood home. Either way, blockbuster trades always make the coming season more interesting, and the Lakers will be must see tv all season.