Dwight Howard Traded to Los Angeles Lakers

The “Dwightmare” is finally over. Orlando Magic’s All Star Center Dwight Howard has been dealt to another team. That’s right; Howard got his way this week and became the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The recently announced deal put an end to months of speculation and uncertainty that surrounded Howard after demanding a trade to the Brooklyn Nets back in December, 2011.  Now, the fact that Howard is finally leaving Orlando takes no one by surprise. After all, he wanted out before the 2010-11 season even started. However; Howard's arrival to Los Angeles is an scenario that not many people consider feasible.

According to sources close to the process, Howard was traded in a monstrous four-team, multi-player deal that involves the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic and of course, the Lakers.

The deal calls for the Denver Nuggets to transfer forward Al Harrington and guard Arron Afflalo to the Magic. Orlando will send guard Jason Richardson to the 76ers and the Lakers will send Andrew Bynum to Philadelphia. The Lakers also will also acquire Earl Clark and Chris Duhon.

Meanwhile, the 76ers will send forward Andre Iguodala to the Nuggets, and former USC center Nikola Vucevic and first-round draft pick Mo Harkless to the Magic, who also granted lottery-protected first-round picks from the other three teams involved in the deal. Draft picks the Magic will receive are the Nuggets' (2014), 76ers' (2015) and Lakers' (2017).

With Howard’s acquisition, the Lakers are likely to become immediate Western Conference favorites with a starting lineup that includes top scorer Kobe Bryant, Spaniard superstar Pau Gasol, and point guard Steve Nash, acquired from the Phoenix Suns last month.

Howard, 26, and three-time NBA defensive player of the year, averaged 20.6 points and 14.5 rebounds in 54 regular-season games for Orlando last season. In eight seasons with the Magic, he averaged 18.4 points and 13.0 rebounds.

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