New Jersey Nets set sights on Dwight Howard to make Deron Williams stay: NBA News
With the National Basketball Association Lockout over, the top priority for New Jersey Nets will be adding a big man on the roster to encourage All-Star point guard Deron Williams in making a long term commitment with the franchise.
In this regard, according to reports, the general manager of Nets Billy King is in pursuit of a huge trade which will completely change the dynamics of the team.
The Nets want Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic star.
It is reported that a proposal has been arranged by the Nets which will send the talented centre Brook Lopez and two future first rounds picks to Orlando Magic for Howard and Hedo Turkoglu.
While talking with ESPN, Billy King said;
"I'll go on record. I haven't talked to them since February of [this year], and that was just checking in on the deadline as you do with everybody. I have not had any conversations with my good friend [Magic GM] Otis Smith, as
everybody speculated I have.
But will he?
I wouldn't plan to tell you if I would," King said.
If New Jersey Nets manages to land Dwight Howard the Nets might become the new power centre in the Eastern Conference.
Everybody in NBA is well aware of Howard’s charisma and his presence will definitely force Williams to stay at the franchise and start the hunt of an elusive NBA championship.
The deal however raises the question as to how much of a salary cap space, the Nets really have. Although King did not hint at that, a general perception is that it is in a range of 20 million dollars. That might just be enough
to lure Howard.
"We've had some good conversations, some progress," King said. "We've been well-received in the phone calls, but when you have as much potential cap space as we do, I would expect to be well-received."
Howard might also be interested in the deal. The Nets are a team on the up. They will be shifting to Brooklyn from the next season and their executives have been trying to make the franchise a major market team and genuine championship
contender. If they do mange to land Howard, a new legacy might just start.
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