Atlanta Hawks agree to trade Dwight Howard to Charlotte Hornets

Dwight Howard has been traded to the Hornets for a package of players and picks.

Things are really beginning to heat up in the NBA. After learning about the D’Angelo Russell trade, we have our second trade of the NBA offseason. Dwight Howard has been dealt with the Hornets along with a second round pick in exchange for Marco Belinelli, Miles Plumlee, and a second round draft pick.

Marc Spears of The Undefeated first broke news of the trade:

Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical followed with more details:

The motivation to move Howard and his ugly contract seem obvious. The Hornets will now be on the hook for the albatross contract for two more seasons. Howard will earn over $23 million a year over that period of time. Woj later added in his report that the Hawks were motivated to move Dwight in a salary dump to the Nets prior to their trade that transpired with the Lakers.

The Hawks add some veteran players that also come with bad contract statuses. Plumlee is owed $12.5 million per year for three more seasons. Belinelli’s contract is much more reasonable as he will make a touch over $6 million in the last year of his deal.

Howard will now play for his fifth different team in the last seven years. The Dwightmare connection seems rather accurate as the Hawks were obviously motivated to move him for a weak trade offer. Howard will be coached by Steve Clifford in Charlotte, and the two have a prior history with each other in Orlando and Los Angeles.  Charlotte will move up in the second round, and that could have played at least a small factor in the decision.

Next: NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason needs for the Atlanta Hawks

Dwight Howard averaged 13.5 points per game during the 2016-17 NBA season. His stock as a former no. 1 overall draft pick in 2004 has taken a serious hit from his days with the Magic.