Nets agree to receive Howard in exchange for Mozgov, picks

UPDATE — June 21, 2:05 p.m.: Brooklyn and Howard plan to finalize a buyout come July 6, according to ESPN’s Chris Haynes.

Dwight Howard and Brooklyn will negotiate a buyout to enter free-agency, league sources tell ESPN.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 21, 2018

The Brooklyn Nets are getting Timofey Mozgov’s contract off the books in exchange for a player the franchise was ready to build around in 2012.

The deal, which was reported Wednesday morning by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, involves the Charlotte Hornets sending Dwight Howard to Brooklyn in exchange for Mozgov, two future second-round picks and cash, according to Wojnarowski.

The Nets will pick up Howard’s $23.8 million expiring contract while getting rid of Mozgov’s two-year, $32.7 million contract. Mozgov averaged 4.2 points and 3.2 rebounds for the Nets in the 2017-18 season, seeing time in just 31 games. This deal gives Brooklyn wiggle room for two max salaries under the cap come the 2019-20 season.

Charlotte was intent on moving out Howard’s contract, and in return receives Brooklyn’s No. 45 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft this Thursday and a second-round pick in 2021, according to Wojnarowski. The deal will not be official until the moratorium ends on July 6 and Brooklyn has enough space for Howard’s contract.

To refresh any memories of Brooklyn’s last “Dwightmare,” Howard was nearly a Net in 2012 until a plane ride convinced him to stay with the Magic. Six years later, the 32-year-old finds himself on his third team in the past three years. Funny how things work out.

Amazing the Nets got Dwight Howard without giving up MarShon Brooks
— devin kharpertian (@uuords) June 20, 2018

Brooklyn did not receive any picks in the trade, but the priority was to clear Mozgov’s deal for 2019 free agency. Maybe Mozgov will be happier in Charlotte, and Howard can put up 30-30 games on other teams that are not the Nets.