Dwight Howard Finally Gets What He Wants, Leaves Mark Cuban Guessing

Dwight Howard was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a 4-team trade Friday, allowing him to team up with new Laker Steve Nash, and perennial All-Star Shooting Guard Kobe Bryant. The Lakers give Andrew Bynum to the Philadelphia 76ers, who also receive Jason Richardson and his large contract.

The Magic lose Howard, but receive guard Arron Afflalo and forward Al Harrington from Denver, draft pick Moe Harkless and Nikola Vucevic from Philadelphia, Josh McRoberts and Christian Eyenga from the Lakers.

The Magic also get 5 draft picks over the next two years.

For the Mavericks and Mark Cuban, this spells trouble.

With all the cap space the Mavs' have saved for this past summer and summer 2013, their options are getting thin. With a few big players peaked to enter the market next summer (such as Chris Paul, Josh Smith and Dwight Howard), the players are ripe for the picking.

If Howard signs a long term deal with the Lakers, as expected, and Paul re-signs with the Clippers, the Mavericks could be left behind with a lot of empty cap space again next summer.

Mark Cuban recovered after losing Deron Williams this summer, but next summer could be even more troubling for Cuban and the Mavs.

All we can do is hope he has something up his sleeve. Again.

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