Will the Wizards build around Howard?

Only a few years ago, Josh Howard was a major factor in the Dallas Mavericks nearly winning the NBA championship. He was also instrumental in the Mavericks posting the league's best record the following season. But, when the Mavs lost in the 2007 playoffs, everything fell apart. Every year since 2008, Josh Howard has been involved in trade rumors. Most of these rumors involved him going to play in Miami, but he ended up going to the Washington Wizards.

The past few seasons, the Washington Wizards have had very bad luck. After deciding to build around Gilbert Arenas, they lose him for two seasons because of injuries. Upon his return, he could not lead the team the way that he once did. Then, on top of all of the frustrations, he threw this season away playing with guns. But, during the All-Star break, the Wizards shook things up. They traded some of their key parts in Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood to the Mavericks in exchange for Josh Howard.

In Dallas, Josh Howard never could reach his full potential. The franchise was built around Dirk Nowitski when he arrived and they were when he left. Also, the chances of Howard playing second fiddle were low because that spot belonged to Jason Terry. He was pushed to the team's fourth option, but he still managed to put up All-Star caliber numbers. But, because the team already boasted the likes of Nowitski, Terry, and later the established Jason Kidd, Howard was forgotten.

It is clear that if Josh Howard is given the reigns to a team, he can put up big numbers and successfully lead a team. People often credit Jason Terry and Dirk Nowitski for the Mavericks going to the Finals a few years ago, but without Josh Howard, that team would have been beaten, badly, by the Spurs in the second round. With Gilbert Arenas throwing his career away, the Wizards have traded for Josh Howard. If he sticks around, the Wiz could have some success with him as their new star. He is definitely marketable and he is proven.