While reading several posts about how D-Will has narrowed his search to the Nets and the Mavs, I came across some posts where Houston is also in the picture, and a formidable force.

It is an open secret that Houston is willing to trade for Howard without the guarantee of a contract extension. Why would they want to do that?

They are not just Howard away to think that they can win this year, they must believe that if they can get Howard then D-Will will surely follow. So what can Houston offer the Magic,

Kevin Martin, Kyle Lowry, and 2 draft picks. Kevin Martin makes 13 Million, Kyle Lowry is at 5.7 Million, so about 18 Million. Howard will make 19 million next season, so the salaries basically match.

The two picks can even be upgraded to even higher picks if they really want to, maybe include Dalembert, or resign Courtney Lee and include him in a package to upgrade one of the picks into a higher pick. Even after this trade Houston has sufficient cap space to sign D-Will at a max contract, and possibly even add another significant piece. (There aren't very many more in this year's free agency)

This is a troublesome situation for the Mavs, I am skeptical about the report that D-Will has narrowed the selection to the Mavs or the Nets. So assuming the Rockets can trade for Howard using Martin, Lowry and the two picks. Here is what their starting 5 looks like,

PG. D-Will

SG. Courtney Lee (yes they need to resign, but they can offer him more)

SF. Parsons, Free Agent Ilyasova?

PF Scola

C D-Howard (Dalambert)

This is a pretty kickass lineup. It will be a contender in the Western conference, and be a pretty salty proposition for the Mavs. I just hope that the Magic don't trade Howard to Houston. Because if they do, then D-Will might end up a little further south. It will be a good situation for him also, still close enough to DFW, but won't have to worry about the pesky friends and family members.