Dwight Howard Trade Rumors Include Offer from Golden State Warriors

COMMENTARY | A Dwight Howard trade offer has already been made. Apparently the Golden State Warriors offered the Orlando Magic a package of players in order to try and pry Howard away from the only team he has played for in the NBA. It's an interesting offer to say the least, but it doesn't sound like one that Orlando was very close to accepting.

According to Jonathan Givony at Draft Express, the offer was a three-for-one deal that would probably frustrate Magic fans if it ever happened. Givony stated that, " The Dwight Howard sweepstakes have begun. Golden State offered Monta Ellis , Andris Biedrins and Ekpe Udoh . Unlikely that will get it done." Saying that deal is "unlikely" might be the understatement of the century, simply because it doesn't seem like something that would help out Orlando at all.

It's hard to imagine that the Warriors thought this was a deal that would work, and it's even further confusing that they would put a star player like Ellis into the deal. That could lead to a lot of bad feelings back in Golden State and could force their hand into trading him before the 2011-12 NBA season got underway. Ellis is definitely a player that many other teams could use, but he isn't in the same category as a star like Howard right now.

The reason that this trade rumor, as well as several others that have included the Los Angeles Lakers keep coming up. Howard is heading into the final year of his contract with the Magic, likely making him a free agent following the 2011-12 NBA season. Rather than risk losing him for nothing, the Magic might want to strongly consider making a deal that would net them a number of younger players to build around. Howard would certainly bring back a good group of players, and what the Warriors are offering isn't it.

It is pretty clear that the Howard contract situation is already becoming a distraction down in Florida, and also that it will likely drag on for quite a while. He is the face of that franchise and has a very strong fan following. Trading someone like Howard wouldn't sit well with most of the fans in Orlando, even if there were good players coming back. It is a similar situation to what the Cleveland Cavaliers faced before they traded LeBron James, and it could become just as disastrous to the future of this franchise if Howard forces their hand.