Just because Dwight opted in doesn't mean he won't be traded

Oh let the drama begin!

Otis Smith says he's not even sure he wants to return.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I asked <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Magic">#Magic</a> CEO Martins if he'll trade <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523dwighthoward">#dwighthoward</a>: "We'll cross that bridge when it comes to it...#1 goal is to get him to sign ext."</p>&mdash; David Baumann (@DavidBaumann33) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidBaumann33/status/200061821237993473" data-datetime="2012-05-09T03:17:09+00:00">May 9, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Magic">#Magic</a> CEO Martins told me on camera w @<a href="https://twitter.com/BHSN">BHSN</a> that <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523dwighthoward">#dwighthoward</a> needs to sign long term extension or "necessary decisions will be made."</p>&mdash; David Baumann (@DavidBaumann33) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidBaumann33/status/200062651487891456" data-datetime="2012-05-09T03:20:27+00:00">May 9, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Magic">#Magic</a> CEO Martins wants long term extension from <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523dwighthoward">#dwighthoward</a> "so we don't go thru a season like we went thru this year," he told me.</p>&mdash; David Baumann (@DavidBaumann33) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidBaumann33/status/200202047566516225" data-datetime="2012-05-09T12:34:22+00:00">May 9, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

Thanks for posting this, you saved me the trouble.

Jopatmc probably just grabbed the Jergen's and Kleenex.

I'll say a Morey trade for Dwight is becoming more likely. Not saying, "Very likely," just, "More(y) likely." As in, Morey'll burn the phone lines up. He'd throw it all away to get not only an All Star but THE All Star.

I wouldn't want to lose the farm and the acreage in acquiring a dude with a bad back coming off surgery, whose strongest tie to staying in Houston is having Courtney Lee here, and (spoiler: severe run-on sentence!) who just might bolt anyway, because the team might not do jack-squat during his time here; by the time he recovers and rehabs he and his agent will start jacking with us like they jacked with the Magic.

(wheeze)

On the other hand, it just might work out. (shrug)

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Dwight's demands last year? Here's what we know: Brian Shaw or Mike Malone, @<a href="https://twitter.com/CP3">CP3</a>, @<a href="https://twitter.com/deronwilliams">deronwilliams</a>, Monte Ellis and/or Anthony Morrow.</p>&mdash; David Baumann (@DavidBaumann33) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidBaumann33/status/200301605902491649" data-datetime="2012-05-09T19:09:58+00:00">May 9, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More from Baumann(on ESPN radio, although not much):

-There are so many question marks. The future of Otis Smith, SVG, and Howard. What happens next? Do they blow the whole thing up? There are so many questions and this can go in any direction. There is an ultimatum now for Dwight to sign long term or else. We have to read between the semantics and see that 'or else' means a trade.

-He had a few demands coming into this year. He wanted Mike Malone or Brian Shaw as HC. Also wanted Monta Ellis, Chris Paul, Deron Williams or Anthony Morrow in no order. How realistic are those demands? Obviously they weren't realistic this year. They did not appease him one bit. There has to be a give and take. What can the Magic do for Dwight and if there is give and take, Dwight has to come down from this cloud he is on with these unrealistic expectations. Gotta be a give and take for any hope of a long-term deal.

(On the Magic in general and some of their other free-agents): Ryan Anderson --I'm surprised the Magic didn't pick up Anderson's option. We'll see what he takes/gets in FA. I don't think he made himself much money in this first round matchup. He was exposed a little. It will probably bode well for the Magic and retaining him. Do they let J.J. go? Do they shore up the PG position? What is Jameer gonna do? Could be a totally blown up team heading into next season.

-It all starts with Dwight. With Dwight in the lineup, even with the same lineup, they're a top 10 team. Without him, a bottom 5. Shows the dominance of Dwight.

-Says they won't go through this again. Come up with a decision soon because we're not doing this again. "I think it's a draft day thing."

-CEO Alex Martins says no talks or conversations of a long term deal(yet).

-On a timetable regarding the future of management & Dwight: That could be the days ahead. A week, maybe sooner. Dwight? They'll probably make a run through the FA process and see what happens.

More Baumann(on different ESPN radio):

(If it was the last night of SVG coaching the Magic): Had to be. Aren't you glad the season is over? What a disaster. SVG was a dead man walking, so was Otis Smith. Awful year and fitting, predictable end to it. SVG wants to come back, you heard support from some of the players, but the thing is, how do you repair SVG/Howard relationship? You don't. No matter the spin, there is no repairing that relationship. It's one or the other or maybe both gone and Otis Smith too.

(Dwight traded this summer?): I do think so. Lets get past semantics. It it esentially an ultimatum sign or else. Dwight signs or he is gone. Dwight Howard has team demands. He wanted Brian Shaw or Mike Malone as HC. Didnt get either one. He wanted some players and didnt get any of those. The Magic have done nothing this year to appease Howard. Dwight needs to make some concessions and so does the team if there is any hope of getting a long term deal done.

(Nelson staying or going?): I think he's going. He's had enough. Been thrown under the bus enough by Dwight. Also think he can get a long term deal somewhere. Jameer wants out of dodge, so do a lot of these guys.

(Coaching search, if SVG is gone, who will they find to replace him?): It's a Dwight Howard hand picked coach. It's that simple. A first year guy where Dwight calls the shots.

 

idk if that'll work. even though goran's more of a socrer, they both still need the ball in their hands.

 

Most likely not going to happen, but Ryan Anderson, this year's most improved player, is up for a new contract. If Orlando can find a team with cap room that is willing to take on Hedo's contract with Ryan Anderson, they could clear some space that way. Orlando could probably offer the Nets a sign and trade for Jameer Nelson and Glen Davis, or J Rich, or even JJ Redick for Deron Williams, but the Nets would probably rather let him walk than to take back those players.

 

I think the Magic are just royally screwed and can't do too much about it.

Anyhow...

CEO Martins say no decisions on anyone in the next couple of days

In that same link, there is a segment in the organization that thinks Martins and Chairman Dan DeVos will ask the DeVos family to get rid of SVG and make a coaching change and that they'll do so.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Magic want to sign Dwight Howard longterm, but under their conditions after what went down this season.</p>&mdash; Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/MagicInsider/status/200313950586417152" data-datetime="2012-05-09T19:59:02+00:00">May 9, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>If Magic trade Dwight Howard, expect it to come in July unless a June draft-day deal is a bonanza.</p>&mdash; Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/MagicInsider/status/200314742663938048" data-datetime="2012-05-09T20:02:10+00:00">May 9, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Key Magic source: "I don't think Dwight (Howard) wants to be here."</p>&mdash; Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/MagicInsider/status/200315159728750593" data-datetime="2012-05-09T20:03:50+00:00">May 9, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Magic will again entertain more than NJ and LA as Dwight Howard suitors. They realize the troubling maturity issues with Andrew Bynum, too.</p>&mdash; Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/MagicInsider/status/200315771530915840" data-datetime="2012-05-09T20:06:16+00:00">May 9, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Magic would love a superstar in return for Dwight Howard, but they have many needs. They want veteran package and contract relief in deal.</p>&mdash; Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/MagicInsider/status/200316407097991168" data-datetime="2012-05-09T20:08:47+00:00">May 9, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>1 more reason Magic likely won't trade Dwight Howard 'til July: Teams want to see how he looks in workouts after surgery and consult doctors</p>&mdash; Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/MagicInsider/status/200317629561454592" data-datetime="2012-05-09T20:13:39+00:00">May 9, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

So we may have a shot? I don't think LA will give up Bynum for him. Shot at some team getting him at the draft?

 

Well they want contract relief so that means they want to dump Turk. Lakers can't take that on. They need a team with cap space and assets. I'd say we are in a good place to trade for Howard.

Trade Dalembert, Morris, Budinger, Lowry, (Scola or Martin) and picks for Howard, Turk and maybe Nelson.

Dalembert is only guaranteed $1 million next season so he's a nice dust chip.

 

That's good. From a talent perspective, I'd much rather have Duhon and Davis than Hedo. If we have Big Baby taken Patterson's role, and Duhon playing the backup point guard, something we'll need if we replace Lowry with Gogi.

We'd also have Motiejuanas to replace Scola. A frontcourt of Dwight-Camby-Davis-him is not only solid, but insures Motiejuanas is always playing with a "blue collar" player, which should help his development (focusing on being more like Dirk and less like Chandler).

We'd still have Bud as the 6th or 7th man, Parsons being the glue guy, and we could easily pickup someone to play backup to Lee. We'd have a solid team. The only trouble would be if Dwight left, because we'd have Davis and Duhon on our hands with no way to get rid of them.

 

I figured we'd trade Patterson, Morris, both first round picks this year, Lowry, Martin, Dalembert and Scola. Although, I don't know how many signed players the Magic have, so it might have to be a three team trade (Minnesota maybe sends Pekovic to Orlando???).

The worst part is that stupid pick we sent to the Nets. That limits our future picks that we can send. If we had made the playoffs this year (or T-Will panned out, or we didn't make the trade in the first place) we wouldn't have this damn problem.

Who do you think the Magic would prefer of the 3 I neglected? My guess is Donatas, because he's probably the bigger name, but he also has the highest bust potential because he's unproven and he's from Europe.

 

I think certain things must play out before any serious trade talks go on:

1) Dwights ability to play. Post surgery. Workouts. Ect..
2) The coaching job gets cemented. It may be decided Dwight and SVG cannot co-exist.
3) Feelers will go out to see what they can expect to get back and get rid of in a trade scenario.

IF, Dwight is good to play, and if the trade feelers are positive, then a trade might happen.

IF, they want to keep Dwight, given their demands on HIM, they may have to cede to some of his as well. Bye bye SVG.

July sounds about right to sort this out. Unfortunately, it handcuffs us a bit from doing much else before then if Morey feels this is out there. Will he wait?

Sure would be nice to know whats going to happen a week at least BEFORE draft day. What we do in the draft would obviously be affected by a Dwight trade.

I just dont know.

 

Alright, I found one that works.

Rockets send:
Martin(expiring)
Lowry(young pg)
Scola (doable contract, "assest")
Patterson(young player, lotto pick)
Morris (young player)
Dalembert(small and expiring contract, "assest")
both picks this year
total: $36,644,873

Magic send:
Dwight
J.J Redick
Glen Davis
Chris Duhon
total: $34,391,770

I believe that works both roster and salary wise. Anyway, that gives us a lineup of:
Dwight/Camby
Davis/Motiejuanas
Parsons/Bud
Lee/Redick
Dragic/Duhon

That's a solid team. Now, looking at the worst case scenario (Dwight leaves Houston) we'd have a bad lineup, but a scrappy one (10th or 11th best team in the West). Plus, the contracts of Davis and Duhon, all though those will be expiring in 2015. If we have high lotto protections on any future pick we send to Orlando (top 3) I'd say it's well worth the risk.

 

If the Rockets had the ultimate rebuild package, they would be rebuilding. If that's the best Orlando can get, they should let him walk.

 

Yep, they ought to offer him to Sac for Cousins and their number five pick. Then Sac could call his bluff on leaving without an extension.