Orlando gets 8 great years out of Howard, right up until his back surgery in the Spring. They are forced to trade him (after back surgery, w/ only 1 year on his contract) and still come away with 5 draft picks and 3-4 promising players (younger & cheaper).
The big surprise for me was that they didn't take Bynum back in the trade. Well, Bynum is damaged goods so that move looks brilliant right now. Howard is banged up too. It would be a major drag to have locked up max money for max years in either guy right now.
In fact, if I were Brooklyn, I'd be smiling that I signed Lopez instead of Howard. With the back and other injuries hobbling him, Howard doesn't have the sheer size and basketball skills to dominate. He will still be good, but not what he was. Nevertheless, he will still demand max pay this summer. Lopez is bigger and has nicer scoring skills than Howard.
So Orlando has 3 1st round picks, 2 2nd rounders, a young 7 footer, Affalo, Harkless and McRoberts for a damaged Howard who could walk on L.A. at the end of this season? It didn't sound that good at the time of the deal, but now I think Orlando is set up nicely to rebound. I don't think Howard will be able to carry a team the way he did in years past.