NBA trade deadline: 5 trade destinations for Dwight Howard

3 of 6

Jan 10, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) celebrates after making a basket during the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

. East. Central. Indiana Pacers. 4. player. 100

The Indiana Pacers have two great things going for them. Paul George is a superstar at small forward for them and Frank Vogel is one of the league’s best coaches in 2016. The problem is that the Pacers aren’t going to make any noise in the Eastern Conference playoffs with the way their roster is currently constructed.

The small-ball era of the Pacers has seen the backcourt play better, but the production of the frontcourt fall off a cliff. Could making a trade for Howard be more than just a temporary solution for the Pacers?

Howard is a strong defensive player and would thrive anchoring Vogel’s defense in Indianapolis. The Pacers already have a top five defense and could stand as a real behemoth come playoff time should Howard join their team. He would make the Pacers a truly difficult matchup in the first round for the second through fourth seeds. Potentially the Pacers could make a run at a top four seed with Howard’s arrival in Indiana.

The two biggest questions in surrounding if Howard to Indiana would make any sense is if he would want to re-sign with the Pacers and what would the Pacers be willing to give up in return for Howard’s services?

Like in a hypothetical deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, Indiana would have to feel comfortable parting ways with a future first-round pick, as well as a player on an expiring contract. As for would Howard want to re-sign with the Pacers this summer, that’s not completely ridiculous.

Howard would get to play with a more focused superstar in George than he does in the often-aloof James Harden in Houston. Vogel would be able to build a championship level defense around Howard, George, and company. Howard would be looked at as a legend in Indiana should he help the Pacers win their first NBA Championship.

If Howard wants to win an NBA championship, pairing up with George in Indianapolis isn’t a bad idea. However, what would entice the Rockets to agree to this trade with the Pacers is the biggest question of them all.

Next: 3. Boston Celtics

Home/Atlanta Hawks