Howard Joins Lakers in Four-Team Trade

After month and months of frustrating negotiations the Dwight Howard saga appears to be over as the big-man agreed to a four-team trade that creates a “Big-Four” this time in L.A.

The Los Angeles Lakers officially acquired the star centre on Friday night in a four-way blockbuster trade involving the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and the Denver Nuggets.

The deal sends Howard to the Lakers along with Chris Duhon and Earl Clark while Andre Igoudala joins Denver from Philadelphia with Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson joining the 76ers in return.

Meanwhile, Orlando receive Arron Afflalo, Nikola Vucevic, Al Harrington, Josh McRoberts, Chris Eyenga and one protected future first-round pick from each of the other three teams as well as two second-round selections.

The 6-foot-11 centre seems to have been the centre of trade speculation since the beginning of time and after endless negotiations, long nights and plenty of coffee the both parties were happy to be able to put the whole saga to bed.

“It was a very tough situation for everybody to let go,” Howard said. “I’m finally glad that it’s over with. Myself and the Magic organisation, we can all start over and begin a new career. Today is a fresh new start for all of us.”

When the possibility of a trade first came about the 2004 NBA Draft first-round pick emphasised over and over his desire to join the newly moved Brooklyn Nets, giving the Magic an ultimatum earlier in the year.

“There’s only one team on my list and if I don’t get traded there, I’ll play the season out and explore my free agency after that.” Howard told Yahoo! Sports in July.

The demand put pressure on Orlando to come up with an appropriate solution, giving the Nets the chance to hardball in the process, slowing negotiations down.

In late July the Nets agreed to a four-year contract with Brook Lopez, a key cog in the Howard trade talks, effectively ending their pursuit of the six-time All-Star.

Talks have been on and off over the following weeks involving the Lakers as they tried to finalise a deal that didn’t involve trading away Pau Gasol after Kobe Bryant’s “As long as I’m there, he’s going to be there,” quote in July.

Philadelphia joined the negotiations once the possibility of acquiring Bynum became evident and once Denver joined the party as a home for Igoudala, the deal was finalised.

While the team in purple and gold have wrapped up the deal it is still unsure whether Howard will be willing to sign an extension to the one year remaining on his current contract.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak believes that a season in Lakerland, experiencing the winning mentality bred by Kobe and co will have a big enough effect on Howard to convince him to sign.

With the Dallas Mavericks lurking in the background, ready to pounce on a free-agent DH12, L.A. are playing a risky game with a player not known for his loyalty.

The off-season trades that acquired Howard and Steve Nash now means that the Lakers have a starting five that includes five former All-Stars with three MVP awards and four defensive-player-of-the-year awards.

“Unreal!” Bryant said. With five championship rings under his belt Bryant will be eagerly looking to make it more in the next few years and after that the “Black Mamba” will be happy to pass on keys to the team.

“I’ll probably play two or three more years. Then the team is his,” Bryant said. “I’m excited for the franchise because now they have a player that can carry the franchise well after I’m gone. This should be his and he should want to accept that challenge.”

In the initial aftermath of the move it appears as though Orlando, a team that has fought valiantly to ensure they get the most they possibly can for the star asset, has been undercut in this trade.

While the early discussions involved names such as Lopez, Gasol and Bynum moving to the Amway Center, the Magic chose a different route, looking to draft picks and youth as their solution to the future.

For now though, Orlando fans will have to endure a period of sustained disappointment with bad results and bad mistakes resulting from a youthful squad with a youthful coach.

Still, after months of is he, isn’t he, the Orlando fans can finally relax and look to the future, hopeful that the next time an All-Star centre come their way he will not be distracted by the big lights of L.A.