And we’re back.
After Dwight Howard trade talks managed to stay out of the news for a brief period of time, it looks like speculation is once again about to pick up.
Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Magic, Lakers, Nuggets and 76ers are engaged in four-way talks about a blockbuster deal involving Howard, which would send the center to Los Angeles to team up with Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash.
The four teams have reportedly been engaged in talks for several days, and while no deal is imminent, sources tell Wojnarowski that the discussions have substance.
There are reportedly a number of moving parts in the ongoing talks, but the basic framework of a possible deal would involve Howard and Nuggets forward Al Harrington going to the Lakers, Sixers guard Andre Iguodala going to the Nuggets, Lakers center Andrew Bynum going to the Sixers, and Lakers forward Pau Gasol and Nuggets guard Arron Affalo going to the Magic.
The Magic would reportedly also receive draft picks and salary cap relief as part of the proposed deal.
Bynum may seem like the more attractive option talent-wise, but Wojnarowski reports that the Magic would have a better chance of moving Gasol in another deal to get further assets, and landing the Spanish big man would also eliminate the concern over whether Bynum would ink a long-term extension with Orlando.
It’s also noted in Wojnarowski’s report that Bynum’s and Gasol’s potential destinations could be fluid in the talks, but that in any event, one would go to Orlando while the other goes to Philadelphia.
We’ve seen plenty of rumors involving Howard this offseason, so we should probably tame our excitement at this point. However, talks have reportedly “grown serious” over the course of this week.
Photo via Flickr/Keith Allison
