Report: Dwight Howard Wants to Play for the Nets

According to ESPN, Dwight Howard will demand a trade to New Jersey, as the Nets are reportedly his preferred destination: “Howard has yet to tell the Magic he will not re-sign with them after this season, but the sources said he will within the next few days, perhaps as early as Friday. There is also a chance that Howard will not attend the opening of training camp Friday, according to a source. The Nets are ready to offer the Magic a package built around center Brook Lopez and two first-round draft picks, New Jersey’s own and one the Nets acquired from Houston in a previous trade, according to sources. New Jersey is also willing to take back Hedo Turkoglu and the three years, $34 million remaining on his deal. The appeal of the Nets for Howard is the chance to play with All-Star point guard Deron Williams and the Nets’ move into a new arena in Brooklyn for the start of the 2012-13 season. Williams and Howard spoke several times about teaming up during the lockout. If Howard is indeed committed to joining the Nets, he can all but force the Magic to make the trade by declaring his intentions not to sign a long-term contract with any other team, thereby assuring that those clubs make low-ball offers to Orlando.”