Dwight Howard To Nets? Brooklyn, Orlando Reportedly Discussing Trade

When the Nets and Hawks agreed to a deal that would send shooting guard Joe Johnson to Brooklyn, Dwight Howard's chances of teaming with Deron Williams in Brooklyn seemed like a long shot. In fact, ESPN's Ric Bucher tweeted that the Nets were out of the equation for Howard and that Dallas had moved up to the top of disgruntled center's wish list.

But don't start printing those No. 12 jerseys in Dallas just yet. There is apparently still a chance for Howard to be wearing a Nets uniform at the beginning of the upcoming season.

ESPN's Chris Broussard blew the whistle early on Tuesday morning to open what looks to be another long day at the rumor mill, tweeting that the Magic and Nets are discussing a trade that would ship Howard to Brooklyn in exchange for Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries, Marshon Brooks and three future first-round picks (2013, 2015 and 2017).

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo, a third team will need to be involved to take Humphries in a sign-and-trade.

The trade would give Brooklyn its own "Big 3," provided that the acquisitions of Howard and Johnson were enough to get Williams to remain with the club.

If consummated, the Nets-Magic deal would also finally put an end to the Dwightmare in Orlando, which has included public trade demands, an incredibly awkward media moment, the firings of Stan Van Gundy and Otis Smith and even a report saying Howard felt "blackmailed."

Of course, this latest Nets-Magic report could be just another false start in Howard's eventual departure from Florida.