Will Dwight Howard, Deron Williams be on same team next season?

While the New York Knicks have reportedly made calls to the Orlando Magic to explore a trade for Dwight Howard, the Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets seem to be more realistic landing spots for the NBA’s best center.

Howard also has the Lakers, in addition to the Mavs and Nets, on his short list, but he’s understood to be reluctant to follow in the footsteps of Shaquille O’Neal, and he had a conversation with Kobe Bryant that reportedly did not go over too well—Bryant allegedly told Howard that he’d be the team’s third offensive option and would not become the face of the team until Bryant retires. Bryant denied this.

An Eastern Conference GM told the New York Daily News that the Nets are optimistic about their chances to acquire Howard. “The Nets think they’re getting him,’’ the GM said.

But others round the league believe the Mavs are the favorites if the Magic don’t deal Howard before the March 15 trade deadline.

By many accounts, there’s a good change Howard and point guard Deron Williams will end up on the same team. Williams, who currently plays on the Nets but is a Dallas native, can opt for free agency this summer, too.

The Nets are “not trying to move Williams, not at all,” the GM said, per the Daily News. “They’re all-in to get Howard, one way or another. But if Williams leaves, then they’ll be an expansion team going to a new arena (in Brooklyn). That’s a disaster."

The Mavs have different ideas—teaming Howard and Williams with Dirk Nowitzki to form their own Big Three.

“The Mavs want to do what Miami did and put together their own big three,’’ another GM told the Daily News. “That’s their goal.”