Lakers acquire Howard from Magic in four-team trade

Posted on August 12, 2012, Sunday

LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Lakers have finalized a deal to acquire all-star centre Dwight Howard in a 12-player, four-team deal, the National Basketball Association team announced Friday.

The deal also sees Lakers centre Andrew Bynum go to the Philadelphia 76ers.

“Dwight Howard accomplished tremendous success on and off the court during his eight years in Orlando,” Magic general manager Rob Hennigan said.

“We feel this deal puts us in a position to begin building. In addition to the six players joining our team, we will be in a position to maximize our salary cap flexibility in the near future, as well as utilize the multiple draft picks we have acquired going forward.”

Besides Howard, the Lakers receive Chris Duhon and Earl Clark from Orlando while sending Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga and a future first round and second round draft pick to Orlando.

Orlando also shipped guard Jason Richardson to Philadelphia for centre Nikola Vucevic and first-round draft pick Moe Harkless, while also acquiring guard Arron Afflalo and forward Al Harrington from Denver.

The Nuggets picked up Bynum and forward Andre Iguodala from Philadelphia.

A total of five draft picks over the next five years will go to Orlando. The Magic will receive a second-round pick from Denver in 2013, a first-round pick from either Denver or New York in 2014, a conditional first-round pick from Philadelphia and the two conditional picks from the Lakers.

Howard is a five-time first team all-star and is the first player in NBA history to win three straight Defensive Player of the Year Awards, beginning in 2009.

Bynum was the Lakers 10th overall pick in the 2005 NBA entry draft. Last season, he averaged 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.93 blocks.

“We’d like to thank Andrew for all he’s done for the team and the organization,” said Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak. — AFP

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