via Ken Berger — Does Lakers-Paul bode well for Nets-Howard?
…the latest developments in the Chris Paul saga point to New Jersey (i.e. Brooklyn) moving into prime position to land All-Star center Dwight Howard in a trade — if Orlando decides to go that route.
Or so the Nets hope.
…
A person familiar with the Magic’s strategy told CBSSports.com Tuesday that the potential tampering charges are “on the back burner” while the team weighs its options with respect to Howard’s apparent desire to be traded. Knowing that the Nets may turn out to be the best trade partner, the Magic were reluctant to burn that bridge before the negotiations even got off the ground, sources said.
The best the Nets can offer is center Brook Lopez, less accomplished but more durable than the Lakers’ Andrew Bynum, plus multiple first-round picks and a signed-and-traded Kris Humphries. But the Nets have been exploring ways to bring in a third or even fourth team that could convey more assets to Orlando, and New Jersey GM Billy King has signaled to associates that such a maneuver won’t be a problem. King has proved to be one of the most adept executives in the league at assembling complicated, multi-team deals.
