Dwight Howard, Gilbert Arenas Included in Trade Rumors

Dwight Howard trade rumors have been around for a while, but now they include Gilbert Arenas. The Orlando Magic and Howard don't have a contract past the 2011-12 season, leading many to assume that a trade would be coming soon. That assumption doesn't seem too far-fetched, especially because Orlando doesn't want to lose the best player in franchise history to another team in free agency. From that speculation comes a new rumor which includes scenarios where Howard would be dealt.

Larry Coon of ESPN took to Twitter Monday to state, "I think if Orlando does decide to trade DH, they will try to make it a package deal with Arenas. Or at least with Hedo." Hedo Turkoglu is another player under a long-term contract with the Magic, and it would make sense for the team to try to trade him away if they are looking to rebuild.

One of the big trade rumors that was floating around, but which had no basis to this point, is a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers for Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum. In exchange, the Magic could give up Arenas and Howard, most likely with their star center agreeing to a sign-and-trade deal that would make him a Laker for many years to come. This seems like a huge step backwards for Orlando, especially giving up a top five NBA player for two role players.

Arenas is the highest-paid player for the Magic right now, with his contract running through the 2013-14 season. By that point, he will be making $22.3 million in his final season, a number that would actually make him the highest paid player on quite a few NBA teams.

Turkoglu is also signed through 2013-14, with an escalating deal that will pay him a high of $12.2 million in that final year. As for Howard, he will make $17.9 million in 2011-12, and then has a player option for the following season at $19.2 million that he could still decide to accept.

The big problem that Orlando has to deal with is that they are under contract obligations of $75.6 million in 2012-13, putting them way over the salary cap. Trades may be the only way they can fix this roster if they cannot convince Howard to re-sign for a long team deal. If they lose Howard, though, this is going to be a much different team that might not be as competitive as fans would hope.