Brooklyn Nets: Complete 2018 offseason grades

The Dwight Howard Trade

It was six years ago that Dwight Howard, at the time one of the most popular players in the NBA, was pushing the Orlando Magic to trade him to the New Jersey Nets. He wanted to form a super-team with Deron Williams, and with the franchise moving to Brooklyn, he felt playing in the Big Apple would increase his brand outside of basketball.

Six years later he got his wish, though his stint in Brooklyn was brief. Howard was acquired through a trade with the Charlotte Hornets. The Nets never had the intention of playing D12, and quickly bought out his contract.

What makes this deal important is what management was able to accomplish for the future of the franchise. The Hornets received cash considerations and two future second round draft picks. However, Brooklyn was able to offload the albatross contract of Timofey Mozgov, which will free up $16.7 million in cap space for 2019-20.

With Mozgov’s contract off the books, the Nets are projected to have nearly $70 million in “practical “cap space next summer. Those resources could be used to sign Jimmy Butler and Kyrie Irving, who are reportedly looking to form a super-team together in the Eastern Conference. If that occurs, Dwight Howard will have changed the landscape of basketball in Brooklyn without ever touching the floor.

Grade: A