NBA

The Completed Dwight Howard Lakers Trade Will Look Like This

After months and months of waiting, speculating, and banging your heads against a brick wall, Dwight Howard has finally been dealt. That’s the good news. The bad news? The 26-year-old six-time NBA All-Star is headed to a team that already had four starters with a combined 27 All-Star selections, and three MVP awards. Oh, and none of those assets (Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Metta World Peace, and Pau Gasol) are going to be on the move. Here’s what is reportedly involved in the blockbuster trade:

The only thing not included in the above graphic is the three first-round picks the Magic are also acquiring. Those picks are all protected, meaning if by some divine miracle the Lakers, Nuggets, or 76ers find themselves in the lottery (where the selection would be the most advantageous to Orlando) the pick would revert back to the team that originally dealt it.

The draft picks being sent Orlando’s way are Denver’s 2014 pick, Philadelphia’s 2015 pick, and Los Angeles’ 2017 pick. (You’ll recall the Lakers already shopped their 2013 and 2015 first-rounders in the Nash deal.) While the Lakers may be mortgaging their future in the NBA Draft, this is a team that hasn’t picked in the first round since 2007, and seems to be doing alright without the help of a top-30 prospect.

One interesting Howard tidbit to take away: in an injury-riddled, 54-game, “I don’t give a shit” season in 2012, against teams named the Thunder and Heat, Howard averaged 20.5 points and 16.5 rebounds. Yeah, I think he’ll be a decent acquisition for the Lakers.

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