Blockbuster Resurgence

The hottest rumors this trade season involve the malcontent Dwight Howard. Though the last post detailed moves made by the Rockets to make a play at Dwight, this post will involve something a little different: Dwight actually being traded.

Here is the trade proposal:
Lakers Receive:
Amare Stoudemire
Michael Beasley

Timberwolves Receive:
Pau Gasol
Matt Barnes
DeAndre Liggins

Magic Receive:
Derrick Williams
Nikola Pekovic
Wesley Johnson
1st Round Pick from Utah (via Minnesota)
1st Round Pick from Dallas (via Los Angeles)

Knicks Receive:
Dwight Howard

Though this megadeal may not involve the most players in history, it definitely has enough star power to be the biggest in history.

The Lakers will receive Stoudemire and Beasley. Since Pau Gasol is mentioned in almost as many trade rumors as Dwight is and with the botched CP3 trade earlier this year, the Lakers seem likely to part with the trustworthy Spaniard. In return, they get a capable scorer in Stoudemire, who possesses a similar, albeit more athletic, game to Gasol. Though Stoudemire has been mired with knee problems in previous years, he has been playing relatively injury free the past couple of years. In Beasley, the Lakers also receive a player who can provide offense from the small forward role, something they've sorely missed with the trade of Odom and the regression of World Peace. For the price of Gasol, the Lakers are able to get younger and more athletic, something that will surely help in the playoffs of a shortened season.

(Edit: New rumors have surfaced about the Lakers being interested in Beasley.)

The Timberwolves seem very interested in pairing Gasol with the Spanish sensation, Ricky Rubio. Gasol is likely seen as the veteran presence needed to help the young, but talented Timberwolves, take the next step into the playoffs. Derrick Williams has not panned out the way the T'Wolve fans had hoped. Nor has Weasley Johnson, the 4th pick of the 2010 Draft. Losing Pekovic, who has been playing very well in the past few weeks, will be easier to swallow with the addition of the very capable Gasol.

The Magic have recently considered keeping Dwight at the risk of losing him in free agency. However, saddled with hefty contracts to Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu, this "idea" seems like nothing more that a ploy to create leverage in any deal for Dwight. In return for Superman, the Magic will receive 3 very young players who can serve as their foundation. Derrick Williams, though inconsistent in Minnesota, might fare better with a change of scenery. He was touted as the most complete player in his draft class and does have the potential to explode. Johnson has been around a year longer than Williams, but like Williams, is a high draft pick that has underperformed in Minnesota. A change of scenery might also serve him well. The real gem for the Magic will be Pekovic, who has been absolutely dominant the past month and has the potential to be the next great Magic center. He will provide a young piece that might fit the Magic better than the banged up Brook Lopez. The Timberwolves and Lakers can also offer the Magic two first round picks (from Utah and Dallas) that the Magic could package with Derrick Williams to shoot for a higher draft pick or a star player.

The Knicks have been long rumored to want to swing Stoudemire for the prize of the 2012 NBA Free Agency class. Needing to only give up Stoudemire to achieve this will be a welcomed surprise. A rotation of Dwight, Tyson, Carmelo, and Jeremy will be a formidable force for anyone to reckon with in the playoffs.

This trade could prove beneficial to all parties and really pave the way for playoff runs both in the present and future.