NBA roundup: Howard hoped to be dealt to Nets
Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard may be happy in his current surroundings, but he said Thursday that he had hoped of being traded to the Brooklyn Nets.
Howard, who was sent from the Orlando Magic to the Lakers in the offseason, told ESPN New York 98.7 FM: "I did want to go to Brooklyn. That's a place where I told the Magic that I really wanted to go."(But) I was traded to the Lakers, and I think it was a blessing in disguise."
Howard's final season with the Magic was stressful. The star center requested a trade to the Nets at the beginning of the year, but nothing materialized.
Trade talks between Brooklyn and Orlando picked up in the offseason, when Nets GM Billy King offered Brook Lopez, MarShon Brooks, Kris Humphries and four first-round picks for Howard. When that fell through, the Nets gave up, and Howard eventually landed with the Lakers in a complicated four-team blockbuster.
" ... I think there's a reason why everything happened the way it happened," Howard told ESPN New York. "So far it's been an unbelievable experience for me. ... It's like a dream come true."
---New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire is getting a second opinion on his injured left knee, the New York Daily News reported Friday.
Stoudemire is scheduled to return in 10 to 17 days for a ruptured cyst in the knee.
"He could still be back in two weeks, but they don't know," a source told ESPN New York.
The Daily News earlier reported that Stoudemire could miss a month.
The Knicks open the regular season Thursday night at the Brooklyn Nets.
Stoudemire's injury occured during practice last week when he collided with teammate Chris Copeland.
---Indiana Pacers point guard George Hill could miss the start of the regular season with hip pointer and left thumb issues.
Hill will likely miss the entire preseason, and his absence increases concern about his availability for the Oct. 31 season opener at Toronto.
Head coach Frank Vogel is trying to remain optimistic that Hill will play, according to the Indianapolis Star.
"It's always a concern whether he'll be in there or not," Vogel said. "We feel like he's going to be ready by then."
