Orlando Magic centre Dwight Howard’s wish to play in Brooklyn will not be granted, with the All-Star looking ever more likely to be suiting up in a LA Lakers, Houston Rockets or Atlanta Hawks jersey in the 2012-13 NBA season.
And there is still a slight possibility of him staying put for the time being.
Howard’s chance of playing with the Nets rested on the success of the blockbuster trade involving three to four teams, 14 players, multiple first round draft picks and $3 million – however it wasn’t to be when the Cleveland Cavillers pulled out.
So where will the Magic send the powerful yet unpredictable and outspoken big man to?
Let’s look at Houston first.
The Rockets come to the party from two fronts: on one side they can deal with Orlando direct, a move that would involve Howard going to Houston in exchange for draft picks and freeing up the Magic’s payroll.
If Houston deals directly with Orlando, they will simply be renting Howard as he will be off after one season and what’s worse, they’ll be stuck with a bunch of bad contracts.
The other option Houston has is in a three-way trade including LA. The Lakers, who just signed All-Star point guard Steve Nash, would likely send Andrew Bynum to Houston and gain Howard, while Orlando receives picks and sends bad contracts to the Rockets.
How about those Lakers?
A direct swap between Orlando and LA rests on the Lakers centre signing an extension and then a trade. What the Magic doesn’t want to happen is Dwight 2.0 with Bynum. Despite Howard declaring he only wants to play in Brooklyn, I can’t see him walking away from a serious championship contender containing Kobe Bryant, Nash, Paul Gasol and everything that is LA.
That brings me to Atlanta.
The Hawks are also in the running of attaining Howard next season, largely because they made a key transaction on June 25 – the signing of Danny Ferry as President of Basketball Operations and General Manager. Ferry, minutes after taking the reins of the clubs front office, made several moves and wiped almost $90 million off the payroll. He traded Marvin Williams to the Jazz and got guard Devin Harris in return. What remains is a number of talented players – Al Horford, Jeff Teague, Zaza Pachulia and Josh Smith. Horford and Smith both play parts in a potential trade. The former is a two-time NBA All-Star (2010 and 2011) that Orlando would be please to acquire while Smith played ball with Howard in high school and the two remain close friends.
The two were also born in Atlanta. It will be interesting to see if Ferry, now that Brooklyn has left the table, makes a push for Howard, then next season, at Chris Paul – that would create yet another ‘Big Three’ clubhouse in the league.
Howard brought all this on himself – he is the one who opted-in for one more season with the Magic. He’d be with the Nets right now if he hadn’t but that’s all in the past now.
I believe Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak will again make a big move on the chessboard, Kobe will speak with Howard about playing a role and there will be one more star in Hollywood. He will have the fame, he will get the big shoe deal and he will have a serious shot at a ring.
The message for Dwight is this: be more like Tim Duncan and less like, well your present self. Just play basketball, please – we’ve all had enough.
Joshua Wells
Roar Rookie
I am so over hearing about him. You can tell how much he hates Orlando and how much they don't want him there. Just make up your mind and get out, and please, don't come to Milwaukee ever in your career!!
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
Via ESPN.com - "Appearing on the Lakers' "short list" of names they are hoping to add to the roster for the veteran's minimum are Antawn Jamison, Elton Brand and Jermaine O'Neal, according to a source familiar with the team's thinking."
Mushi
Guest
A point on Houston "renting" Howard is absent the nets (who won't be able sign him for more than the tax payees exemption) where does Dwight head in the offseason (bearing in mind Houston will have his bird rights and the ability to pay him more) I think they've taken the view that with the nets no longer an option they will have the best shot at him.
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
They only want a big name in their town - they'll cop a heap players from Orlando too and then as you mention, get a high draft pick.
Reece Jordan
Roar Pro
Wow, bold move by Houston. They're really gutting their roster to try and get picks and cap space. With no big name free agents left (or ever really around aside from D-Will), it's clear they're pursuing Howard and Howard only. He really doesn't seem sold on them, I don't know if they're making the right move yet. It could be a long season in H-Town if they can't swing a deal, though that Top 3 pick they'd get for a bad season would be the cherry on top of a sweet youth-laced trade package. Great work like always, Cameron.
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
Just in: In one more significant step in the Houston Rockets’ relentless pursuit of Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard, the Rockets will use the amnesty provision on forward Luis Scola to clear further salary cap space, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
Cheers Nathan. The thing with Atlanta is that it's changing - thanks to Danny Ferry. With Orlando, they have to get rid of him otherwise face losing him and getting nothing in return. If Bynum signs an extension then I believe the deal will be done between the Magic and Lakers. If he doesn't then the Rockets become the favs - they desperately want an all-star in their town and have plenty of room to facilitate bad contracts. Orlando will have room then for next season and to rebuild with many more draft picks.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
After all the trouble the Magic has had with Dwight in recent months, I think the worst possible option would be for him to go back to Orlando for the start of the 2012/13 season. You can tell both sides don't want to be together anymore so it would seem ridiculous if he was forced to play in an Orlando uniform. Maybe its money, maybe its the fact Jay-Z is a part owner, but I don't know why anyone would voluntarily want to go to the Brooklyn Nets. As much as I hate the Laker, I would much rather end up there and have a chance at a championship then go to Brooklyn and wait around a couple of years while the franchise trys to rebuild. Would be unusual seeing Dwight lining up for Atlanta, a team in the same division as Orlando. Can't imagine him wanting to face his formed team 4 times a season. I used to really like Howard. He used to be one of my favourite players but will all the trouble he has caused Orlando, my opinion has changed off him. He is a freak of an athlete, but you just wonder how much the way he carried himself on and off the court during last season will effect his asking price. Great article