Where's he play next year, in your opinion?

 

Either Dallas or LA Lakers, IMO. He will go where Deron Williams goes, IMO.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/332847/late-night-with-jimmy-fallon-pearl-jam-sings-jeremy-lin

 

Jimmy Fallon's Tribute to Jeremy Lin...

The two highlights in my mind from last night's Rising Stars Challenge...

 

Either Dallas or LA Lakers, IMO. He will go where Deron Williams goes, IMO.

 

I'd Deron is FA he's going to Dallas. I highly doubt Howard ends up there.

I don't think the Magic will trade Howard.

 

I could see Orlando saying, just go ahead and turn down all that extra money. If they do that Howard's options are severly limited and he may be forced to resign.

I'd Deron is FA he's going to Dallas. I highly doubt Howard ends up there.

 

Curious why you think this- in my mind, Dallas is the favorite if Howard becomes a free agent. They will have the cap space available for both.

Curious why you think this- in my mind, Dallas is the favorite if Howard becomes a free agent. They will have the cap space available for both.

 

I know I'm not HT but IMO there's a lot of obstacles of getting Howard to Dallas, lot of things will have to happen. Williams is a Dallas native so if the Nets cannot improve their team Williams can just opt out and sign with the Mavericks. I think he is Cuban's first priority although he would love to have boitth. For Howard to end up in Dallas a lot more would have to happen. First the Magic would have to hold onto him and ultimately cost themselves draft picks, players, etc. If they do not pull a trigger on a trade they will more less end up like the Cavs/Raptors and get nothing in return for their superstar. This is the main reason I see them making some kind of deal. Its apparent in the case of Utah and Denver that it's definitely a better idea to get as much in return as you can instead of just letting him walk. BUT, something happens and the Magic hold onto him hoping he will re-sign, he could then hit free agency and sign with the Mavs if they still have the cap room available (and considering Williams had signed there as well).

 

 

I still think he will end up on the Nets. Billy King and company know they gave up a lot to get Williams so losing him would be devastating. In order to ensure he stays on the team when they make the move across the river he knows they must strike a deal for Howard. It was pretty clear that Otis Smith and the Magic brass wanted to hang onto Dwight until at least the All-Star break (considering Orlando was hosting) and on top of that Brook Lopez has been hurt for most of the season. The Nets have been actively pursuing another team or two to add into the mix to try and get other players involved to get some sort of deal done. Orlando may not want to spring a deal for Lopez and draft picks but I'm sure there's plenty of teams out there looking to take a possible lottery pick to shed some cap space of a veteran player. Dwights trade list is small, don't see the Mavs having enough to get a deal done and don't see the Lakers giving up what they would need to give up thus he ends up in NJ by default.

I know I'm not HT but IMO there's a lot of obstacles of getting Howard to Dallas, lot of things will have to happen. Williams is a Dallas native so if the Nets cannot improve their team Williams can just opt out and sign with the Mavericks. I think he is Cuban's first priority although he would love to have boitth. For Howard to end up in Dallas a lot more would have to happen. First the Magic would have to hold onto him and ultimately cost themselves draft picks, players, etc. If they do not pull a trigger on a trade they will more less end up like the Cavs/Raptors and get nothing in return for their superstar. This is the main reason I see them making some kind of deal. Its apparent in the case of Utah and Denver that it's definitely a better idea to get as much in return as you can instead of just letting him walk. BUT, something happens and the Magic hold onto him hoping he will re-sign, he could then hit free agency and sign with the Mavs if they still have the cap room available (and considering Williams had signed there as well).

 

 

I still think he will end up on the Nets. Billy King and company know they gave up a lot to get Williams so losing him would be devastating. In order to ensure he stays on the team when they make the move across the river he knows they must strike a deal for Howard. It was pretty clear that Otis Smith and the Magic brass wanted to hang onto Dwight until at least the All-Star break (considering Orlando was hosting) and on top of that Brook Lopez has been hurt for most of the season. The Nets have been actively pursuing another team or two to add into the mix to try and get other players involved to get some sort of deal done. Orlando may not want to spring a deal for Lopez and draft picks but I'm sure there's plenty of teams out there looking to take a possible lottery pick to shed some cap space of a veteran player. Dwights trade list is small, don't see the Mavs having enough to get a deal done and don't see the Lakers giving up what they would need to give up thus he ends up in NJ by default.

 

I prefaced my comments with if he becomes a free agent. Your points are all valid, but if Howard becomes a free agent then I like Dallas slightly ahead of LA because Deron Williams will go to Dallas, IMO.

 

While your points are valid, I disagree that it is a bad idea to let Howard walk. Unless you believe that Brook Lopez is a piece to build a title around, I would not trade for him. The same goes for Bynum. If I am Orlando, I prefer cap flexibility and draft position over taking the package that will come from the Nets because that package will not make me a playoff contender (it hasn't for the Nets), let alone a title contender. Combine this with the injury history of both Lopez and Bynum and I would steer clear. The 2013 draft will be loaded at the top. I would rather position myself to get one of those players (Muhammad, Noels, Zoeller, Austin or Adams). Those guys would be cheaper and I still have the flexibility to sign pieces to compliment them. I have the chance to be competitive through the end of the decade if my draft pick pans out.

 

Let me say this because I do believe that we would both agree on this point- the best option is the one that won't happen; the Magic REALLY need to resign Dwight Howard.

I prefaced my comments with if he becomes a free agent. Your points are all valid, but if Howard becomes a free agent then I like Dallas slightly ahead of LA because Deron Williams will go to Dallas, IMO.

 

While your points are valid, I disagree that it is a bad idea to let Howard walk. Unless you believe that Brook Lopez is a piece to build a title around, I would not trade for him. The same goes for Bynum. If I am Orlando, I prefer cap flexibility and draft position over taking the package that will come from the Nets because that package will not make me a playoff contender (it hasn't for the Nets), let alone a title contender. Combine this with the injury history of both Lopez and Bynum and I would steer clear. The 2013 draft will be loaded at the top. I would rather position myself to get one of those players (Muhammad, Noels, Zoeller, Austin or Adams). Those guys would be cheaper and I still have the flexibility to sign pieces to compliment them. I have the chance to be competitive through the end of the decade if my draft pick pans out.

 

Let me say this because I do believe that we would both agree on this point- the best option is the one that won't happen; the Magic REALLY need to resign Dwight Howard.

 

This is what I think as well. The only way Orlando can be a champion is through the draft with the way players are now. They can't build through the draft unless they're pretty bad. I'd want picks more than anything if I was going to trade Howard. Bynum or Lopez set the Magic back 6 or 7 years in the long-run IMO.

This is what I think as well. The only way Orlando can be a champion is through the draft with the way players are now. They can't build through the draft unless they're pretty bad. I'd want picks more than anything if I was going to trade Howard. Bynum or Lopez set the Magic back 6 or 7 years in the long-run IMO.

 

 

 

So a top 5-10 NBA big man is going to set you back 6 or 7 years when you are already losing quite possibly the best big man?

 

What the Magic's problem is that they have too many veteran guys who are getting beyond their good years but still have their hefty contracts to go along with them. Nelson, Richardson, Turk, etc. all have contracts around the 10+ range. Lopez would not be making any more than a max deal his whole career, Bynum either. I think if the Magic could get one of those guys to help fill the void of losing a Dwight Howard they could then try to eventually shed cap space and add pieces to keep them contending. They are going to get draft picks no matter what in a Howard trade so to make the salaries work they are going to have to take back players in return. It's a better idea to get back at least one or two players that are going to help you instead of getting nothing in return. Even if the Magic balked on Bynum or Lopez and ended up with good draft picks it's still not a given they can just go and get that quality big man. Davis, Drummond, etc. are all looking to go off the board in the first few picks so unless the Magic can lock up a top 5 pick theres a big difference in picking top 5 and picking top 15. I feel that if they could get a solid player like a Brook Lopez, then parlay him with a couple draft choices, maybe some back court depth ala a Jeremy Lamb, Brad Beal, or maybe a Sullinger or Thomas Robinson in the post, or perhaps if they get lucky enough a cornerstone wing such as Harrison Barnes or MKG. They could then sustain their spot in the east right now with the potential to still get young and talented going forward. Both Bynum and Lopez are fairly young and I like a scenario with one of those guys manning the post more than I do without them manning the post. Think about it, a lineup of Nelson, Richardson, Barnes, Anderson, and Lopez isn't that bad. Especially if you can add another top draft choice to the rotation like a Thomas Robinson or Sullinger, or late in the first add some point guard depth for the future and select a Tony Wroten, Kendall Marshall, or a Myck Kabongo. The Magic could also get another veteran or two in a trade and perhaps shed one of their bad contracts in the process. Numerous things can happen but I can't see them being better without a solid big man, something they will not have when they lose Howard.

This is what I think as well. The only way Orlando can be a champion is through the draft with the way players are now. They can't build through the draft unless they're pretty bad. I'd want picks more than anything if I was going to trade Howard. Bynum or Lopez set the Magic back 6 or 7 years in the long-run IMO.

 

 

What? Letting Howard walk will set them back 6 or 7 years.

What? Letting Howard walk will set them back 6 or 7 years.

 

You watch enough NBA to know that HT. Being mediocre is the worst thing you could be in the NBA. Getting Bynum or maybe Lopez with some other players helps the Magic be mediocre. Not good enough to contend, not bad enough to draft high. It would set them back 6 or 7 years.

You watch enough NBA to know that HT. Being mediocre is the worst thing you could be in the NBA. Getting Bynum or maybe Lopez with some other players helps the Magic be mediocre. Not good enough to contend, not bad enough to draft high. It would set them back 6 or 7 years.

 

They lose nothing with Bynum. They'd be the same. They need to shore up the pieces around Howard/Bynum. I'm not sold on Lopez. Bynum is ready though.

You watch enough NBA to know that HT. Being mediocre is the worst thing you could be in the NBA. Getting Bynum or maybe Lopez with some other players helps the Magic be mediocre. Not good enough to contend, not bad enough to draft high. It would set them back 6 or 7 years.

 

That's what they are now. They aren't legit title contenders. Instead of getting something in return for the best big man in the league you are saying let him walk so they suck and get a high draft pick. Not exactly a recipe for success. You get one Greg Oden and then you really are set back for 6 or 7 years. They would lose very little with Bynum. I'd say Bynum is the 2nd best C in the league. I'm not so sure about Lopez. They still have good enough players on their team to be mediocre in the East with an average C if they let Howard walk. I just don't see how you could possibly let him walk. If you are worried about get high draft picks they should just trade him for only draft picks and a player whose deal expires at the end of the year.