NBA deal: Dwight Howard going to Lakers

The Orlando Magic's Dwightmare appears to be nearing an end.

The Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers reached a deal in principle on a four-team trade that would send Dwight Howard to the Lakers, ESPN reported late Thursday night.

In turn, the Magic were set to receive Denver shooting guard Arron Afflalo, Denver forward Al Harrington, Philly center Nikola Vucevic, Philadelphia rookie small forward Moe Harkless and one future first-round pick from each of the three other teams.

Meanwhile, the deal also would send Orlando swingman Jason Richardson and L.A. center Andrew Bynum to the Sixers and Philly swingman Andre Iguodala to the Nuggets.

Magic general manager Rob Hennigan and CEO Alex Martins did not return messages Thursday from the Orlando Sentinel.

But the deal, as reported, no doubt will leave many Magic fans underwhelmed. Earlier Thursday, it appeared that the Magic might receive All-Star Pau Gasol from the Lakers, but Gasol is no longer in the mix, a league source familiar with the deal told the Sentinel.

Some NBA observers speculated that the details of the Magic's talks with the Lakers, Nuggets and Sixers were leaked by the Magic in order to prompt Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey to improve his offer for Howard.

Howard desperately wants to be traded, and he made that point clear to Hennigan during a face-to-face meeting in Southern California on July 25.

Around the Association

Timberwolves • Second-round draft pick Robbie Hummel of Purdue has agreed to a deal with El Obradoiro, which plays in Spain's top professional league.

Bucks • Milwaukee signed free-agent center Joel Przybilla, who has averaged 4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 580 career games.