A couple more quick thoughts on the Dwight Howard trade, now that it is official:

1. In February 2011, the Jazz dealt Deron Williams to the Nets for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors and the draft pick used to select Enes Kanter. It seems like a much better haul than the Magic received for D-12, right? I mean, Favors and Kanter were taken No. 3 overall in their respective drafts and could be future All-Stars. Have you put Aaron Afflalo, Moe Harkless, Nikola Vucecic in the future All-Star conversation yet? How about those three future protected first-rounders?

2. We'll never know what would've happened if Brook Lopez had stayed healthy last season. Maybe he would've taken a quantum leap and former Orlando GM Otis Smith would've wanted him. One thing we do know is, it didn't help the Nets whatsoever as far as their Howard pursuit was concerned.

3. The Atlantic Division, for years considered terrible, is going to be pretty darn competitive. While Boston has to be considered the prohibitive favorite, would it surprise you if Philadelphia, New York or Brooklyn came out on top?

4. Wonder what D-Will thinks of the current NBA landscape. He got his money, but will he ever get his ring?

5. Cash is still King. The new CBA hasn't hampered big-market teams from putting together All-Star rosters. Maybe one day we’ll be saying, "Remember when superstars used to rule the world?" Apparently, that time isn't now.

6. The Nets' best trade assets going forward? Lopez, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks and their future first-round picks. Mirza Teletovic -- given his age (26) and cheap contract -- could also enter the mix if he plays well. Then there's Tyshawn Taylor, Tornike Shengelia and the Eurostash.