Report: Dwight Howard Trade to Lakers Imminent With Andrew Bynum to 76ers, Magic Receiving Three First-Round Picks

by Dan Duquette Jr. on Thu, Aug 9, 2012 at 10:19PM

Come Friday morning, Dwight Howard will be a Laker.

That's the way things are looking, according to ESPN's Marc Stein, who is reporting that a phone call to process the trade with the league office is scheduled. The deal involves four teams — the Lakers, Magic, 76ers and Nuggets.

The Lakers will receive Howard while Andre Iguodala heads to the 76ers. Philadelphia will get Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson, and the Magic will acquire Aaron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic and one protected first-round draft pick from each of the other three teams. Orlando will also receive some cap flexibility, as Howard was set to make $19 million in 2012-13 while Richardson was owed $12 million through 2014, with a $6.5 million player option in 2014-15.

Pau Gasol is not being traded, according to Stein, so the Lakers will enter next season with a lineup featuring Howard, Gasol, Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash. Look out, rest of the NBA.