HOWARD TO LAKERS IN 4-TEAM MEGA-SWAP

In a four-team trade, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired center Dwight Howard, point guard Chris Duhon and forward Earl Clark from the Orlando Magic; the Denver Nuggets acquired guard/forward Andre Iguodala from the Philadelphia 76ers; Philadelphia acquired center Andrew Bynum from the Lakers and guard/forward Jason Richardson from the Magic; Orlando acquired forward Moe Harkless, center Nikola Vucevic and a conditional first-round draft pick in 2015 from the 76ers, guard Arron Afflalo, forward Al Harrington, a conditional first-round draft pick in 2014 and a second-round draft pick in 2013 from the Nuggets, plus forward/center Josh McRoberts, swingman Christian Eyenga, a conditional first-round draft pick in 2017, a conditional second-round draft pick in 2015, and a trade exception from the Lakers.

What does it give the Los Angeles Lakers
It's clear the Lakers are serious about contending for a title this season, especially with {P Kobe Bryant} and {P Steve Nash} nearing the ends of their respective Hall of Fame careers. Enter Howard, who's absolutely the NBA's most consistently dominant center (when he's healthy). This trade is a minor risk for L.A. (since there doesn't seem to be any guarantee Howard will re-sign with them after he becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season, and because Howard is coming off back surgery). Regardless, Howard is probably a better option than the less-consistent Bynum (who also hits free agency next summer). As for Duhon and Clark, assuming L.A. keeps them around they're solid depth talents who won't likely play big roles for their new team. This makes the Lakers the team to beat in the NBA for 2012-13.

What does it give the Denver Nuggets
Iguodala is one of the NBA's most well-rounded stars so he should step in right away as the Nuggets' new starting shooting guard. His fairly hefty contract still has one year on it after this one, and if things work out in Denver then the Nuggets can try to re-sign him. He is a big all-round upgrade from Afflalo, and while Denver might miss Harrington's presence off the bench they have {P Wilson Chandler} to fill that role now. Losing the future 1st-rounder hurts a bit but the Nuggets are suddenly a very competitive team again.

What does it give the Philadelphia 76ers
Philly didn't give up too much here to land two quality veteran stars in Bynum and Richardson (although the exiting Harkless may eventually be a top-tier player). Bynum fits nicely at center (with {P Spencer Hawes} now at power forward) and is a good match for Philly's defensive focus. Meanwhile Richardson brings reliable veteran scoring and lets the emerging {P Evan Turner} play more at small forward (a nice shift considering his rebounding ability). There's no guarantee Bynum re-ups with the Sixers (and they're locked in with Richardson for three more years) but Philadelphia may now contend in the East.

What does it give the Orlando Magic
This has been a tough summer for the Magic, who lose Howard (one of the game's most talented players, and a rare superstar big man in his prime). Then again, they at least get a lot of solid building blocks in return for him. Rather than let Howard walk away and get little or nothing next summer, Orlando reels in two quality veteran scorers in Afflalo and Harrington, an underrated energy/post guy in McRoberts, plus three promising youngsters in Harkless (who has star tools), Vucevic, and Eyenga. While the first-round picks are protected, getting three of them (plus two second-rounders) is a great overall haul of assets here (especially when one includes the trade exception, which lets Orlando trade for a salary up to nearly $18 million over the next year without sending similarly-salaried players the other way). The Magic have to at least be pleased they held out for a lot in this deal.

Fantasy impact
Howard is likely to be a little less productive as a Laker next season than he usually was with the Magic (in part because of his back issues, but also because there are so many other stars in L.A. to share the ball with). That said, expect continued dominance from him in boards and blocks. Iguodala should keep producing at his usual rate now that he's in Denver, and he may actually score more (since the Nuggets play a far more wide-open style than the Sixers). Don't be surprised at somewhat limited minutes for swingman {P Wilson Chandler} as a result. In Philadelphia, early inconsistency should probably be expected from Bynum as he adjusts, and it would probably be wise to downgrade {P Spencer Hawes} and {P Arnett Moultrie} a little (while upgrading {P Evan Turner}). As for the Magic, look to draft rookie big men {P Andrew Nicholson} and {P Glen Davis} in fantasy leagues a little earlier than before this deal, since both may see big minutes and shots with Howard gone. Also look for a little less of a breakout than expected from {P J.J. Redick}, who may be limited by the arrival of Afflalo. In Orlando McRoberts now has some sleeper appeal (since he could be a rotation guy for the suddenly-thin Magic), as could Vucevic (who's an underrated big man). That probably also mean rookie {P Kyle O'Quinn} may not be much of a first-year factor.