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TalkBulls Forums _ NBA Talk _ The Dwight Howard Drama Thread

Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Jun 26 2012, 08:17 AM

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2012/06/getting-dwight-howard-would-be-tough-keeping-him-tougher-a-gamble-worth-taking/

QUOTE
Getting Dwight Howard would be tough, keeping him tougher. A gamble worth taking?
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 8:00 am by Jonathan Feigen in General
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Magic center Dwight Howard is the franchise-type player the Rockets have long coveted. (John Raoux/Associated Press)

Maybe it would just be easier to be really lousy and lucky, after all.

The Rockets’ way, however, makes things much more interesting around the trade deadline, draft and free agency.

The Rockets’ search for a franchise star has grabbed the post Finals attention centered on their hopes to land Dwight Howard. This is nothing new, of course. They had been in talks with the Magic up to 11 a.m. on March 15 when Howard ended that by signing his opt in to remain with the Magic for another season. That was not about to end the chase.

The chatter heated up when ESPN.com reported that the Rockets have tried to pick up extra top 10 picks to put together a deal with the Magic that would send Howard to Houston. This is entirely true, but among many moves the Rockets are trying to work out by Thursday’s draft. Nothing is imminent and the talks are considered fragile at best.

Also, the Rockets are trying to move into the top 10 not just to swing a deal with the Magic, but to use the pick themselves, rather than two picks in the middle of the round.

None of this comes as a surprise to anyone. The Rockets have made no secret of their quest to land a franchise player. And they have tried to move up in every draft since Daryl Morey has been the general manager.

Things are, however, particularly intense this week. There has been interest in Kyle Lowry since he expressed his dissatisfaction with playing for Kevin McHale. The Rockets have shopped Kevin Martin. But everything is about finding that next star to be the foundation for their future, either with the deal to bring him to town or to better equip the Rockets for that kind of trade.

In some ways, it would be interesting if the Rockets dealt Lowry, Martin and perhaps an extra big man to Orlando for Howard and a pricey veteran or two. History does tend to repeat itself, and this would not be the first time they sent a starting backcourt and an extra big man to Orlando for a Magic star who also was a straight-from-high school player available because he was unwilling to commit beyond the next season while coming off a back injury. Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kevin Cato for Tracy McGrady happened. This could, too.

The Rockets do have what it would take to make this kind of deal. First, they are willing though they would be gambling that Howard would walk in a year. They were willing to gamble when Howard was signed only for a few weeks. They would jump at the chance to have him for a full season.

Second, they have a variety of contracts to offer, from Lowry’s modest contract to Martin’s expiring deal. They could offer productive players in rookie-scale contracts and multiple picks. They agreed to trade Martin, Goran Dragic, Luis Scola and a first-round pick to get Pau Gasol. You can imagine what they would have to send to Orlando to get Howard. And third, they have cap room if they need to take back an extra contract to make a deal work.

The competition would be greater now than in March when relatively few teams were willing to risk much with Howard signed for such a short time. And the Magic still would have reason to be patient to try a bit more to get Howard to stick around to play for a new GM and coach, or to try to land a replacement star rather than the Rockets’ offer of good, solid players that have been unable to break from the middle of the pack.

But if we assume the Magic would be willing, that the Rockets could land Howard, do you take the chance you can keep him? If you can get a pair of top 10 picks, do you just use the picks and try to find your star that way? In other words, do you feel lucky? Well, do you?

Eh, why not?

Undoubtedly, the chances of signing Howard long-term are not great. David Aldridge reported that a source told him there is no chance Howard would sign after next season. I was told in March, about 10 days after the deadline, that Howard wants a bigger stage than Houston offers. He can wait a season and head to Brooklyn and immediately be the greatest center the Nets have ever had (something he cannot be with the Rockets or Lakers.)

Howard, however, has set records for fickle decision-making. Given a year in Houston, he could change his mind. For that matter, in a year, he could change his mind 57 times. The Rockets with Howard could be capable of a pretty strong year, a better season than they would likely have without him, which could help convince him to stay or at least be fun while it lasts.

Basically, if they can get him, they have a chance to keep him. Put a percentage on it. Whatever you think it is. For argument sake, let’s say there’s a 25 percent chance he would stay. How does that chance compare to the chance of trading for a similar star with a long-term contract? How does it compare to tanking and hoping to win the lottery, and winning it the year you happen to have a player that dominant waiting for you?

The Rockets know how difficult it is to land a star, especially one with a long-term contract. Winning the lottery is far from a sure thing (think Charlotte) and going to the lottery every single guarantees little (Washington, Sacramento.)

If they can get Howard, the chances they can keep him are not great, but they are better than trying to get a player like that elsewhere.

Now, all they have to do is get him. Again.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 26 2012, 02:33 PM

How about we just name this the "Dwight Howard Saga" thread?

Posted by: Jake Jun 26 2012, 09:25 PM

I'm glad the Howard to Bulls rumors have quited down, because I really am not fond of the guy.

Who knows if it would be a good move for anyone to trade for him (sans Brooklyn perhaps) since he seems to not be pleased with any scenario but 1.

Posted by: Quinarvy Jun 27 2012, 12:26 AM

QUOTE (Jake @ Jun 26 2012, 10:25 PM) *
I'm glad the Howard to Bulls rumors have quited down, because I really am not fond of the guy.

Who knows if it would be a good move for anyone to trade for him (sans Brooklyn perhaps) since he seems to not be pleased with any scenario but 1.


I agree with this.

Also, why do the Rockets and Lakers get so many great centers throughout their history?

We got a just past his prime Artis Gilmore, though he was damn good.

Posted by: ZoomSlowik Jun 27 2012, 08:59 AM

I'm not even going to try to guess what Dwight is thinking. If it were me, I'd already be a Bull (and I'm trying to say that objectively).

I can see why the Rockets would try it, they've been stuck in basketball hell for a while, not good enough to be a real threat but not bad enough to add elite talent through the draft. They probably thought they had it with T-Mac/Yao, but they always got hurt. Howard may be a pain in the ass right now, but he's clearly the best big man in the league.

Posted by: rockren Jun 27 2012, 03:15 PM

QUOTE (ZoomSlowik @ Jun 27 2012, 09:59 AM) *
I'm not even going to try to guess what Dwight is thinking. If it were me, I'd already be a Bull (and I'm trying to say that objectively).

I can see why the Rockets would try it, they've been stuck in basketball hell for a while, not good enough to be a real threat but not bad enough to add elite talent through the draft. They probably thought they had it with T-Mac/Yao, but they always got hurt. Howard may be a pain in the ass right now, but he's clearly the best big man in the league.


I agree with you on if I were Howard as well.

I, along with everyone else, believe if Howard wanted to be a Bull he would be.

I believe it to be a good gamble for the Rockets because they can sit and fight for the 8 seed out west for the next two years and then rebuild completely....or gamble on Howard for this year and then rebuild if he bolts next year.

Posted by: Steve9347 Jun 28 2012, 10:36 AM

QUOTE (Balta1701-B @ Jun 26 2012, 03:33 PM) *
How about we just name this the "Dwight Howard Saga" thread?

Went with "Drama" and done.

Posted by: Jake Jun 28 2012, 12:54 PM

Dwight is so good yet getting hard to root for. I just don't remember so many top NBA guys insistent on both leaving the team that drafted them and being so in control of where they land afterwards.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jun 28 2012, 01:06 PM

QUOTE (Jake @ Jun 28 2012, 02:54 PM) *
Dwight is so good yet getting hard to root for. I just don't remember so many top NBA guys insistent on both leaving the team that drafted them and being so in control of where they land afterwards.

Probably because it's never happened like this before.

Posted by: Quinarvy Jun 28 2012, 01:27 PM

And it's never been this bafflingly idiotic before.

Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Jun 30 2012, 09:16 PM

Reported by Chris Broussard. Apparently he feels that the Magic "blackmailed" him by saying they would trade him if he didn't agree to opt in for this season.

f***ing idiot.

Posted by: Quinarvy Jun 30 2012, 09:58 PM

Trade him to the Bobcats for MKG, Biyombo, and first rounders.

They'll suck this year and in the future.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jul 1 2012, 11:13 AM

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8118159/sources-dwight-howard-tells-orlando-magic-gm-wants-trade-brooklyn-nets suggests Howard will have a grievance against the club, and may push to be declared a free agent and have his option overturned.

Posted by: 2nd_city_saint787 Jul 1 2012, 12:55 PM

If the Bulls traded them Noah and Deng would they have enough money next year to sign a guy like Harden? When Mirotic comes over I think he'd be perfect next to Dwight. A Rose-Harden-Butler-Mirotic-Howard starting 5 would be pretty effin sick.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jul 1 2012, 01:02 PM

QUOTE (2nd_city_saint787 @ Jul 1 2012, 02:55 PM) *
If the Bulls traded them Noah and Deng would they have enough money next year to sign a guy like Harden? When Mirotic comes over I think he'd be perfect next to Dwight. A Rose-Harden-Butler-Mirotic-Howard starting 5 would be pretty effin sick.

They couldn't offer Harden a max deal if they were still holding on to Butler, and they might not be able to anyway. Assume both Rose and Howard are close to $19 million, makes $38. If Butler would be $2 million, Teague another $1 million, puts them at about $41 million. If the cap stays at $58, then Harden cannot be offered. Have to trade away the kids too.

The only reason the Heat were able to do all 3 was...2 of their guys (Wade and Lebron) actually took less than the max deal.

Posted by: 2nd_city_saint787 Jul 1 2012, 01:08 PM

QUOTE (Balta1701-B @ Jul 1 2012, 02:02 PM) *
They couldn't offer Harden a max deal if they were still holding on to Butler, and they might not be able to anyway. Assume both Rose and Howard are close to $19 million, makes $38. If Butler would be $2 million, Teague another $1 million, puts them at about $41 million. If the cap stays at $58, then Harden cannot be offered. Have to trade away the kids too.

The only reason the Heat were able to do all 3 was...2 of their guys (Wade and Lebron) actually took less than the max deal.


I can see one of the SGs (Harden, Martin, or Ellis) taking less than a max deal if it means they get to play with Rose and Howard on what is def a championship caliber team.

Posted by: ZoomSlowik Jul 1 2012, 01:11 PM

QUOTE (2nd_city_saint787 @ Jul 1 2012, 02:08 PM) *
I can see one of the SGs (Harden, Martin, or Ellis) taking less than a max deal if it means they get to play with Rose and Howard on what is def a championship caliber team.


They would have to take significantly less. Look at the way the Knicks' roster is distributed right now, that's about the best you can hope for. You really don't have any room for anything else with two max and another guy over $10 mil.

Posted by: 2nd_city_saint787 Jul 1 2012, 01:36 PM

QUOTE (ZoomSlowik @ Jul 1 2012, 02:11 PM) *
They would have to take significantly less. Look at the way the Knicks' roster is distributed right now, that's about the best you can hope for. You really don't have any room for anything else with two max and another guy over $10 mil.


You wouldn't need much more really, the second unit would have to rely on draft picks and vet minimums but with that starting unit I'd be fine with it. Trade Taj for a good pick next year (and future picks), maybe sign and trade ASik for a 1st rounder, and they have 2 picks next year. That would give you 4 picks next year.

Rose/Teague
Harden/
Butler
Mirotic/
Howard/

You can fill the roster with those picks, an MLE and a good vet who takes the minimum.

As you know I'm terrible at figuring out the cap so I'm probably still wrong....It's doubtful but maybe Dwight pulls a Lebron and takes less too??

Posted by: ZoomSlowik Jul 1 2012, 02:14 PM

Mirotic alone would really hurt their cause. Check out the article Madhouse posted in the Mirotic thread. That also assumes he's here before 2015.

Posted by: Jake Jul 1 2012, 02:22 PM

I don't think anyone wants to trade a 1st rounder for Omer, but I would have thought the same thing about Thabo

Posted by: 2nd_city_saint787 Jul 1 2012, 02:39 PM

If there are teams wanting to pay him 8 mill I think he may get you a first.

Say the Rockets offered him 8, would the sign and trade have to be Asik at 8mill? By that I mean can the Bulls sign him to say a 3 or 4 mill contract then trade him? That would up his value a lot.

Posted by: Jake Jul 1 2012, 02:48 PM

QUOTE (2nd_city_saint787 @ Jul 1 2012, 02:39 PM) *
If there are teams wanting to pay him 8 mill I think he may get you a first.

Say the Rockets offered him 8, would the sign and trade have to be Asik at 8mill? By that I mean can the Bulls sign him to say a 3 or 4 mill contract then trade him? That would up his value a lot.


Nope, have to give him what was offered

Posted by: Quinarvy Jul 1 2012, 03:43 PM

QUOTE (Balta1701-B @ Jul 1 2012, 12:13 PM) *
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8118159/sources-dwight-howard-tells-orlando-magic-gm-wants-trade-brooklyn-nets suggests Howard will have a grievance against the club, and may push to be declared a free agent and have his option overturned.


I hate him. So much.

Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Jul 2 2012, 06:55 AM

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jul 1 2012, 04:43 PM) *
I hate him. So much.


This. In the real world they call this "negotiations". By his standards, Howard must be guilty of blackmail and collusion, right?

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jul 2 2012, 07:01 AM

QUOTE (madisonsmadhouse @ Jul 2 2012, 08:55 AM) *
This. In the real world they call this "negotiations". By his standards, Howard must be guilty of blackmail and collusion, right?

The one thing that makes him possibly have a case is that whole deal with Van Gundy knowing Howard demanded he be fired. You can come up with plenty of scenarios where that joke of a press conference was the place where some handshake deal was violated.

Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Jul 2 2012, 07:15 AM

HoopsHype ‏@hoopshype
Rumors: Warriors fixed on Dwight Howard

Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Jul 2 2012, 07:15 AM

QUOTE (Balta1701-B @ Jul 2 2012, 08:01 AM) *
The one thing that makes him possibly have a case is that whole deal with Van Gundy knowing Howard demanded he be fired. You can come up with plenty of scenarios where that joke of a press conference was the place where some handshake deal was violated.


Sure, like negotiations in bad faith by Howard?

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jul 2 2012, 07:23 AM

QUOTE (madisonsmadhouse @ Jul 2 2012, 09:15 AM) *
Sure, like negotiations in bad faith by Howard?

Does he have a right to ask for a coach he's comfortable with, and does he have a right to expect that conversations about a coaching change would be private between him and the organization?

Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Jul 2 2012, 07:32 AM

Chris Broussard ‏@Chris_Broussard
source says Golden State still willing to trade for Dwight Howard without having commitment from him beyond next season


Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Jul 2 2012, 07:32 AM

QUOTE (Balta1701-B @ Jul 2 2012, 08:23 AM) *
Does he have a right to ask for a coach he's comfortable with, and does he have a right to expect that conversations about a coaching change would be private between him and the organization?


According to Howard, that would be blackmail.

Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Jul 2 2012, 07:35 AM

Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports
Dwight Howard: "Especially since what is being printed is not true and damages my reputation every day."

Dwight Howard: “It is past time for these reporters to quote their sources."

Dwight Howard: “I'm tired of reporters using "sources" to print inaccurate and defamatory stories about me"


Posted by: Quinarvy Jul 2 2012, 10:03 AM

QUOTE (madisonsmadhouse @ Jul 2 2012, 08:35 AM) *
Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports
Dwight Howard: "Especially since what is being printed is not true and damages my reputation every day."

Dwight Howard: “It is past time for these reporters to quote their sources."

Dwight Howard: “I'm tired of reporters using "sources" to print inaccurate and defamatory stories about me"


Here's a thought:

Magic send him to the D-League, just to f*** with him some more.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jul 3 2012, 07:47 AM

QUOTE
The Nets and the Orlando Magic are discussing a trade that would send Howard to the Nets for Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks and the Nets' first-round picks in 2013, 2015 and 2017, sources said. Lopez and Humphries, who are both free agents, would go to Orlando in sign-and-trade deals.
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8125453/orlando-magic-dwight-howard-go-brooklyn-nets-sources-say

Posted by: Quinarvy Jul 3 2012, 11:07 AM

Add the Nets to the list of Super Friends teams that Rose has to go through with Miami and the Knicks (still better than the Knicks, but they still have 2 All-Stars with good complimentary players).

Posted by: ZoomSlowik Jul 3 2012, 09:08 PM

Just read an article on ESPN saying that it'd be really hard for Brooklyn to pull this off due to finances, even if Orlando does take the subpar deal that is proposed. Supposedly they signed some foreigner (Teletov or something?) for the full MLE, so they can't go over the tax line.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jul 9 2012, 07:17 AM

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/8142542/sources-cleveland-cavaliers-help-brooklyn-nets-land-dwight-howard-trade

QUOTE
The Brooklyn Nets' persistent efforts to recruit the Cleveland Cavaliers as a third team to help them hammer home a trade for Dwight Howard are starting to pay off, according to sources close to the process.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Nets and Magic are cautiously optimistic that the Cavaliers will help them facilitate a three-way trade that lands Howard in Brooklyn.

Free agent Kris Humphries would be one of the key pieces headed to Cleveland in the proposed deal.

The Cavaliers, however, have enough cap space to sign Humphries outright, so they have requested additional assets from their two prospective trade partners.

A key in any potential deal, sources said, is swingman Marshon Brooks, whom the Nets are offering to prospective third-team facilitators to make a Howard-to-Brooklyn trade possible.

Although the Nets have made Brooks available, sources say the Magic aren't interested and he's being shopped elsewhere, including Cleveland, to find a package that suits Orlando.

Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Jul 9 2012, 07:52 AM

For the love of all that is good and holy, CLEVELAND DO NOT HELP NEW JERSEY GET HOWARD.

Posted by: ZoomSlowik Jul 9 2012, 12:33 PM

QUOTE (madisonsmadhouse @ Jul 9 2012, 08:52 AM) *
For the love of all that is good and holy, CLEVELAND DO NOT HELP NEW JERSEY GET HOWARD.


Dan Gilbert seems like the kind of guy that would do it just to make Lebron work harder out of spite.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jul 9 2012, 04:03 PM

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/8144717/sources-nets-magic-need-fourth-team-possibly-complete-dwight-howard-trade

QUOTE
According to sources the Nets would receive Howard, Jason Richardson, Chris Duhon and Earl Clark in the proposed deal. The Magic would get Brook Lopez, Luke Walton, Damion James, Shelden Williams, Armon Johnson and three first-round picks -- two from the Nets and a lottery protected first from the Clippers. The Cavs would get Kris Humphries, Quentin Richardson, Sundiata Gaines, a first round pick from the Nets and three million in cash. The Clippers would receive MarShon Brooks.

Further hurdles exist in that Lopez, Humphries, James, Williams, Johnson and Gaines would all have to agree to sign-and-trades to move them.

Sources told ESPN.com that the complicated deal was getting "close."

As part of their due diligence the Nets and Magic have exchanged medical information on Howard, who had back surgery, and Lopez, who had foot surgery, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jul 9 2012, 07:08 PM

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/8144717/sources-brooklyn-nets-orlando-magic-need-fourth-team-possibly-complete-dwight-howard-trade

QUOTE
The deal also could involve the Charlotte Bobcats replacing the Cavaliers, league sources told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher.

Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Jul 10 2012, 07:32 AM

Hopefully the Hawks are good this year, because the NBA is just going to be brutal to watch.

Posted by: Jake Jul 10 2012, 07:42 AM

The super-teams assembling with hateable figures like LeBron, Howard actually helps the NBA IMO. Everyone will now have a dog in the fight -- whichever team might knock off those assholes.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jul 10 2012, 07:54 AM

QUOTE (Jake @ Jul 10 2012, 09:42 AM) *
The super-teams assembling with hateable figures like LeBron, Howard actually helps the NBA IMO. Everyone will now have a dog in the fight -- whichever team might knock off those assholes.

IF you count people deservedly disliking OKC for what happened with Seattle...what team has a chance to do so? The Lakers? The Celtics?

Posted by: Quinarvy Jul 10 2012, 08:56 AM

QUOTE (Balta1701-B @ Jul 10 2012, 08:54 AM) *
IF you count people deservedly disliking OKC for what happened with Seattle...what team has a chance to do so? The Lakers? The Celtics?


The Bulls. Derrick Rose will just enter God Mode when he returns.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Jul 11 2012, 08:20 AM

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8147719/orlando-magic-exploring-other-dwight-howard-trades-source-says

QUOTE
The Houston Rockets have joined the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets as the most serious potential trade partners with the Orlando Magic on a Dwight Howard deal, according to sources close to the process.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Rockets are discussing a multitude of trade scenarios with the Magic, offering to serve both as the team that would acquire Howard in a direct trade between the clubs and also as a third team that would participate in a trade that lands Howard with the Lakers and brings All-Star center Andrew Bynum to Houston.

The Rockets, in the latter scenario, would push to acquire Bynum from the Lakers while furnishing the Magic with a package of future draft picks and cap-friendly contracts to set Orlando up for a full-fledged roster reload. Sources confirmed a HoopsWorld.com report that the three-team trade construction that sends Bynum to the Rockets instead of the Magic -- with Orlando said to be concerned about its ability to re-sign Bynum for the long term -- gained traction Tuesday.

The key elements of the three-team proposal, sources said, call for the Lakers to acquire Howard and the Rockets -- realizing their long-running quest to acquire a top-20 player -- to take back the mercurial Bynum as he enters the final year of his contract.

It's believed that Houston would have to absorb the contract of Magic swingman Jason Richardson and perhaps another unpalatable contract or two to complete a trade directly with the Magic for Howard or to get Bynum. Central to the Rockets' offer is a 2013 first-round draft pick that they'll soon acquire from the Toronto Raptors as part of a verbally agreed trade last week that will send guard Kyle Lowry to Toronto. Houston also has movable veterans Luis Scola and Kevin Martin to sweeten any trade proposal.

Posted by: Quinarvy Jul 11 2012, 08:39 AM

Way better than the Nets package. As much as I'd hate to see Kobe get #6...I want the Nets and Heat to suffer.

Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Jul 11 2012, 02:26 PM

Awesomeness

@SportsCenter
BREAKING - Dwight Howard trade to @brooklynnets falls through, last-gasp attempt to work deal has died (via @RicBucher)

Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Jul 18 2012, 11:47 AM

http://tracking.si.com/2012/07/14/dwight-howard-trade-lakers-magic-nets-rockets-cavaliers-andrew-bynum/?sct=obnetwork

QUOTE
Report: Dwight Howard to Lakers being ‘discussed’ as part of three-team trade

The Magic, Lakers and Cavaliers are discussing a three-team trade that could send Dwight Howard to Los Angeles. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

So much for the Orlando Magic focusing on their coaching search. Dwight Howard-to-the-Lakers rumors are heating up again.

The Lakers, Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers are discussing a three-team trade that would send Howard to Los Angeles and center Andrew Bynum to Cleveland, Hoopsworld’s Alex Kennedy reported Saturday. From Kennedy’s report:

The three teams have discussed a number of scenarios. While no trade is imminent, the talks are ongoing.

One scenario would send Howard to Los Angeles, Andrew Bynum to Cleveland and a package of picks and prospects to Orlando, according to sources.

The Lakers would land Howard, who they have been aggressively pursuing for quite some time.

The latest Howard-to-the-Lakers rumors involved a three-team trade among the Lakers, Magic and Houston Rockets, who have also been trying to land Howard.

But the latest rumor could be an attractive option for all teams involved, if they can make it work. The Lakers would get Howard, who they have coveted since last offseason. The Cavaliers would get Bynum, a young big man who they could pair with point guard Kyrie Irving and draft pick Dion Waiters. Bynum would also reportedly be willing to sign an extension with the Cavaliers if traded there.

The Magic, meanwhile, would get young talent, draft picks and cap space in what’s becoming a rebuilding process. The Rockets have also been involved in talks for Howard recently, but they are reportedly not close to a deal with the Magic.

Posted by: Quinarvy Jul 18 2012, 01:02 PM

I want Dwight to the Bobcats. Can that happen?

Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Jul 19 2012, 12:00 PM

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/19613692/reports-howard-willing-to-re-sign-with-lakers-if-traded-to-la

QUOTE
Bloggers:

Matt Moore
Royce Young
Ben Golliver

Subscribe: RSS
Reports: Howard willing to re-sign with Lakers if traded to L.A.

By Matt Moore | Senior NBA Blogger
July 19, 2012 9:06 am ET

Dwight Howard has reportedly given indicated he's willing to re-sign in L.A.. (Getty Images)

Consider this the first step in building a Dwight Howard trade that doesn't involve Brookyn. It lays the foundation.

RealGM.com's Jarrod Rudolph, known to be very close to Howard and his camp and is considered a reliable source on that end, reports that Howard has come around to the Los Angeles Lakers as a destination and is willing to re-sign with the Lakers in free agency in the summer of 2013.

ESPN is confirming the report.

To put this in perspective, here's how any trade setup has to be configured, factoring Howard's impending free agency next summer:

1. Howard has to verbally commit to re-signing with the trade partner. No team (as of yet) will surrender the trade assets that the Magic want without Howard's consent that he'll stay long-term.

2. The Magic have to get the kind of package they want, which may involve bringing in a third team. Reports surfaced Wednesday that the Lakers had brought the Cavaliers into talks, involving Bynum headed to Cleveland while Anderson Varejao and a package of assets heads to Orlando.

3. The team getting Howard has to consent to the package they'll have to surrender for Howard. This is a bigger deal than it seems. Even with Howard the potential payoff, teams are reluctant to ever overpay for an asset. Unless they're the Knicks. And it's not Jeremy Lin, apparently. Part of this process with the Lakers involves Andrew Bynum, who has to agree to re-sign with wherever he lands. Reports have indicated Bynum is open to re-signing in both Cleveland and Houston, potential trade partners for the Lakers.

4. Howard has to not change his mind about the entire thing before the trade is approved by the league. That's pretty much touch-and-go till the league office sends down the OK at this point.

So the first step to complete a potential Howard trade has reportedly been accomplished, but there's a long way to go. Houston has also been in talks as the third team. Orlando has to set the price on Howard and determine what they want, and from there it will be on Magic GM Rob Hennigan to make that happen. As of yet, the Magic have not committed to what exactly they are looking for, but the package will presumably involve young players, draft picks, and most importantly, for teams to take salary from Orlando.

The big road block there is tha Orlando wants to dump Hedo Turkoglu's near-undumpable contract. That remains the next big hurddle in any negotiations.

But Howard agreeing to re-sign removes the risk from the Lakers, at least in terms of Howard's word. He could always not re-sign after committing to do so, but that would be a pretty terrible decision from every perspective.

So we wait to see if Howard's position holds, and if the Lakers can find the salary room for what the Magic want to get rid of, as well as the assets to send back to Orlando.

But for a team that seemed destined to send Howard to Brooklyn for one of the worst trade packages in NBA history, the Magic may just pull off getting a true rebuild set for themselves and the Lakers may get the next great superstar in their storied history.

Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Jul 20 2012, 09:16 AM

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/chi-agent-says-howard-will-test-free-agency-in-13-20120720,0,6942699.story?track=rss

QUOTE
The Dwightmare isn't over for the Orlando Magic.

Dwight Howard, through agent Dan Fegan, has thrown a wrench into gears of the humming trade machine yet again. This time, Howard's agent told ESPN that talk of Howard being open to a five-year maximum extension -- or any addition to his current deal, which expires at the end of the upcoming 2012-13 season -- was not accurate.

Fegan said Howard "fully intends to explore free agency at the end of next season, regardless of what team trades for him, including Brooklyn."

The Nets are holding out hope of acquiring Bryant but can't trade their most attractive chips until December. General manager Billy King told the NY Daily News the team still has interest and wouldn't yield even if Howard opts not to commit to a new contract with the Nets. At least in the short term, the Nets aren't in the bidding.

The Lakers aren't quite so gung-ho. According to multiple reports, general manager Mitch Kupchak is unlikely to part with 24-year-old center Andrew Bynum for a one-year rental of Howard.

Minus agreement toward at least a short-term extension, the Lakers have pause in pulling off the proposed three-team deal that would also include a third team with more draft assets than Los Angeles can offer the Magic.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Aug 9 2012, 01:49 PM

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/os-magic-dwight-howard-trade-0810-20120809,0,3005369.story

Posted by: Balta1701-B Aug 10 2012, 06:45 AM

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/os-magic-dwight-howard-trade-0810-20120809,0,1842670.story

Normally I'd wind up hating on the superteam most of the year. But frankly, I'm not going to complain about this because I want the Heat downed.

Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Aug 10 2012, 08:27 AM

ESPN Stats & Info ‏@ESPNStatsInfo

4 trades since 1973 for 20-pt, 10-reb, 2-blk player: Kareem (’75), Shaq (LA ’96), Shaq (Heat ’04), Howard (’12). Lakers got 3 of them.

And seriously, f*** GaxPax for not doing a damned thing this off season.

Posted by: ZoomSlowik Aug 10 2012, 01:06 PM

Lame. At least if he went to the Nets it would have been someone new.

Posted by: Jake Aug 10 2012, 02:17 PM

I don't know how hard I'd push for that trade when you have no idea what you have in Derrick. Will he play the 1 year you may see little of Rose? What if Rose sucks now for some reason?

Posted by: madisonsmadhouse Aug 13 2012, 06:53 AM

QUOTE (Jake @ Aug 10 2012, 03:17 PM) *
I don't know how hard I'd push for that trade when you have no idea what you have in Derrick. Will he play the 1 year you may see little of Rose? What if Rose sucks now for some reason?


The quickest way to winning a title is to get a guy of Howards skill to Chicago. You have got to take that chance if you are the Bulls. Guys like that aren't available regularly.

Posted by: 2nd_city_saint787 Aug 13 2012, 10:47 PM

No thanks, he wants to play in Brooklyn. Rather just hold onto Noah+ and see what working with Kareem is gonna do for him.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Aug 14 2012, 06:59 AM

QUOTE (2nd_city_saint787 @ Aug 14 2012, 12:47 AM) *
No thanks, he wants to play in Brooklyn. Rather just hold onto Noah+ and see what working with Kareem is gonna do for him.

He's not going to be in Brooklyn.

Posted by: 2nd_city_saint787 Aug 14 2012, 11:37 AM

QUOTE (Balta1701-B @ Aug 14 2012, 06:59 AM) *
He's not going to be in Brooklyn.


He said something along the lines of, I'm gonna see how comfortable I am in LA then decide between LA and Brooklyn. IMO thats something a player in a new city should never bring up, and would annoy the hell out of me if I was an LA fan/he came to the Bulls.

Furthermore hasn't he made it fairly clear Chicago is not a place he wants to play long term, so chances are he'd be here the one year our other superstar is hurt....Whats the point??

Ok clearing $$$ might be a valid point, but getting rid of Noah is really gonna hurt the team IMO. I'd much rather keep Noah, trade Deng, amnesty Boozer, and sign a SG next year than lose Noah(plus whatever other pieces) and Howard, and be left with Rose, Boozer, and Deng....

I'd really hate to lose Noah for what would basically be cap relief, esp. considering he's working with Kareem this offseason and I'd hate to see any kind of progression he has in a different uni.

Posted by: ZoomSlowik Aug 14 2012, 12:06 PM

QUOTE (2nd_city_saint787 @ Aug 14 2012, 12:37 PM) *
He said something along the lines of, I'm gonna see how comfortable I am in LA then decide between LA and Brooklyn. IMO thats something a player in a new city should never bring up, and would annoy the hell out of me if I was an LA fan/he came to the Bulls.

Furthermore hasn't he made it fairly clear Chicago is not a place he wants to play long term, so chances are he'd be here the one year our other superstar is hurt....Whats the point??

Ok clearing $$$ might be a valid point, but getting rid of Noah is really gonna hurt the team IMO. I'd much rather keep Noah, trade Deng, amnesty Boozer, and sign a SG next year than lose Noah(plus whatever other pieces) and Howard, and be left with Rose, Boozer, and Deng....

I'd really hate to lose Noah for what would basically be cap relief, esp. considering he's working with Kareem this offseason and I'd hate to see any kind of progression he has in a different uni.


Brooklyn has no cap space. The only way he could go to the Nets is if the Lakers sign-and-trade him there, which has about as much of a chance of happening as me spending the night with Kate Upton.

Pretty much any attractive location this off-season is going to be capped out.

And you have way too much faith in a guy working out this off-season. Noah is hardly the only guy trying to get better.

Posted by: 2nd_city_saint787 Aug 14 2012, 12:43 PM

QUOTE (ZoomSlowik @ Aug 14 2012, 12:06 PM) *
Brooklyn has no cap space. The only way he could go to the Nets is if the Lakers sign-and-trade him there, which has about as much of a chance of happening as me spending the night with Kate Upton.

Pretty much any attractive location this off-season is going to be capped out.

And you have way too much faith in a guy working out this off-season. Noah is hardly the only guy trying to get better.


Once again, like the Rus/Love thread, I'm going off what the player said.

How many of those players are working with one of the GOATs??

Yes, I have a lot of faith in Noah improving his game. He may not be Dwight Howard good but I think he can be Andrew Bynum good...Top 3 C in the NBA....I'm predicting at least 15/10 next year.

Posted by: ZoomSlowik Aug 14 2012, 12:45 PM

QUOTE (2nd_city_saint787 @ Aug 14 2012, 01:43 PM) *
Once again, like the Rus/Love thread, I'm going off what the player said.

How many of those players are working with one of the GOATs??

Yes, I have a lot of faith in Noah improving his game. He may not be Dwight Howard good but I think he can be Andrew Bynum good...Top 3 C in the NBA....I'm predicting at least 15/10 next year.


He said he wouldn't sign an extension, which makes financial sense because of the stupid CBA rules that give them a disincentive to do so. Much like Deron Williams, that doesn't mean he's leaving.

Pretty much all of these guys work out with someone that knows what they're doing at some point in their career.

You probably shouldn't expect a guy that has been in the league for years and still has a jumper that spins sideways to suddenly develop a good offensive game.

Posted by: 2nd_city_saint787 Aug 14 2012, 01:04 PM

QUOTE (ZoomSlowik @ Aug 14 2012, 12:45 PM) *
He said he wouldn't sign an extension, which makes financial sense because of the stupid CBA rules that give them a disincentive to do so. Much like Deron Williams, that doesn't mean he's leaving.

Pretty much all of these guys work out with someone that knows what they're doing at some point in their career.

You probably shouldn't expect a guy that has been in the league for years and still has a jumper that spins sideways to suddenly develop a good offensive game.


Well when one of the true GOATs say he has the ability to be a monster if he got a chance to work with him, I'm gonna expect at least some kind of boost in his offensive game until proven otherwise.

Apparently hes doing yoga now too, not sure how that'd translate to playin ball but I'm sure it won't hurt.

Posted by: Balta1701-B Aug 14 2012, 01:10 PM

QUOTE (2nd_city_saint787 @ Aug 14 2012, 01:37 PM) *
He said something along the lines of, I'm gonna see how comfortable I am in LA then decide between LA and Brooklyn. IMO thats something a player in a new city should never bring up, and would annoy the hell out of me if I was an LA fan/he came to the Bulls.

Brooklyn really has virtually no way to genuinely be a threat to sign him now, and in order to trade for him, the Lakers would have to take back $20 million worth of contracts. The Nets will only have 1 big deal that expires after 2013-2014, and that's Kris Humprhies at $12 million, so the Lakers would need to actually want to take on someone like Lopez or Gerald Wallace long term...or find someone else to take on those deals without any enticement.

He can say how much he wants to go to Brooklyn all he wants. After they extended Lopez it became virtually impossible.

Posted by: 2nd_city_saint787 Aug 14 2012, 01:31 PM

QUOTE (Balta1701-B @ Aug 14 2012, 01:10 PM) *
Brooklyn really has virtually no way to genuinely be a threat to sign him now, and in order to trade for him, the Lakers would have to take back $20 million worth of contracts. The Nets will only have 1 big deal that expires after 2013-2014, and that's Kris Humprhies at $12 million, so the Lakers would need to actually want to take on someone like Lopez or Gerald Wallace long term...or find someone else to take on those deals without any enticement.

He can say how much he wants to go to Brooklyn all he wants. After they extended Lopez it became virtually impossible.


If Brook Lopez returns to form it wouldn't be a bad return. Unless OKC doesn't resign Ibaka, there are no good Cs on the market so I'd take Lopez over no C at all. I guess the same could be said in the Bulls situation should they have got D12.

Noah >>> Lopez

Posted by: ZoomSlowik Aug 14 2012, 02:32 PM

QUOTE (2nd_city_saint787 @ Aug 14 2012, 02:31 PM) *
If Brook Lopez returns to form it wouldn't be a bad return. Unless OKC doesn't resign Ibaka, there are no good Cs on the market so I'd take Lopez over no C at all. I guess the same could be said in the Bulls situation should they have got D12.

Noah >>> Lopez


The Lakers aren't dumb. They know the Nets aren't a threat to get Dwight unless they do Brooklyn a huge favor. They know that they're in a good situation because Dwight would have to sacrifice more money and more years and leave an organization with championship potential in a warm climate and a major market.

Is he really going to do that to play for the Rockets or Hawks? The odds are clearly in LA's favor. Brooklyn and Dallas were the other teams on his list, and neither of them are going to have the space to sign him out-right (well, Brooklyn clearly not, Dallas likely not once the numbers come in for their new additions). They're not going to give that up to take Brook Lopez's awful contract. If they were really worried about it, they'd have kept Andrew Bynum, who was arguably the 2nd best center in the league last year.


Posted by: ZoomSlowik Aug 14 2012, 02:34 PM

QUOTE (2nd_city_saint787 @ Aug 14 2012, 02:04 PM) *
Well when one of the true GOATs say he has the ability to be a monster if he got a chance to work with him, I'm gonna expect at least some kind of boost in his offensive game until proven otherwise.

Apparently hes doing yoga now too, not sure how that'd translate to playin ball but I'm sure it won't hurt.


And Michael Jordan thought taking Adam Morrison over Brandon Roy and Rudy Gay was a good idea. Being an elite player doesn't necessarily mean you can coach or evaluate talent.

I'd temper your expectations.

Posted by: 2nd_city_saint787 Aug 14 2012, 03:07 PM

QUOTE (ZoomSlowik @ Aug 14 2012, 02:34 PM) *
And Michael Jordan thought taking Adam Morrison over Brandon Roy and Rudy Gay was a good idea. Being an elite player doesn't necessarily mean you can coach or evaluate talent.

I'd temper your expectations.


Did MJ work with him or is this just based on the fact that he picked the guy?

Evaluating a guy out of college, esp. a smaller school like Gonzaga is a lot harder than evaluating a guy who has been in the league for several years.

15/10 isn't a lofty expectation to have, thats what 2 more FGs a game....I mean I'm not expecting him to be the 2nd coming of Kareem or anything, I just believe he'll be better.

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