Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: Clippers, Heat Possible Landing Spots?

By Jason Van Hoven | March 13 2012 10:55 AM

If Dwight Howard were to become a free agent in the summer of 2012 (or 2013 after picking up his player option to stay with the Orlando Magic for one more year), is it possible we could see him in a Miami Heat or Los Angeles Clippers uniform?

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Could Howard join the likes of Clippers guard Chris Paul or forward LeBron James in Miami?

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According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, Howard has added both the Heat and Clippers to teams on his list that he is interested in joining, but he may need to be traded to either team first before he can there sign long-term.

Two teams sources say tell SI Howard will have interest in: Clippers and Miami, tweeted Mannix on Monday. There are cap issues, but the interest is real.

Mannix also reports that if Howard does become a free agent, he will be interested in speaking to more clubs than just the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and New Jersey Nets, three teams that Howard has stated he would most prefer to play for. Howard had also previously indicated that these three teams were the teams he would sign an extension with if he were traded.

ESPN's Chris Broussard reports that if the Magic are unable to placate Howard by bringing in a star-caliber player to play alongside him by Thursday's trade deadline, then the team will seek the best deal out there for the three-time Defensive Player of the Year. Broussard believes the Nets will be the landing spot in the event Howard is shipped out.