You know what I don`t like about those proposed trades? It´s that we give up more (in outgoing players and in incoming bad contracts) than LA, but Howard still ends up there and we "only" get the second prize in Bynum. I´m scared of Bynum - when I see him, I see an injury waiting to happen. I think with him we are in the Yao years all over again (if everyone could stay healthy we should be contenders, but...). Plus he`s kind of a punk. If we have the better package, we should get Howard. But we should only give up our real good package (that is including 2-3 of our rookies plus Martin and picks) if we are pretty sure he would resign here. We wont win this year, not even with Howard - we are missing some pieces for that (and we lost some pieces in the trade). At least one star calibre player at SG or SF is still needed. So it will be hard to convince Howard from a sports point of view. So we are betting on the money we would be able to offer - knowing Dwight he will do anything to force a s&t and might just leave if he doesnt get what he want. And then, we`d have few young talent, no picks, no star and a real hard time rebuilding... In the end, whatever happens I´m intrigued but also scared...
We don't have anyone nearly as good as Bynum. So I can't really agree with the idea that we give up more than L.A.
I'd be outraged if we don't get Bynum out of this. I've gone cold on idea of getting Howard; he doesn't want to be here. Bynum, on the other hand, has already won rings, wants to move out of the shadow of Kobe, and would be willing to resign here. We would have to give up less as well. Martin, our 2 first rounders, Patterson or Morris and TJ will be gone, I think.
Ok, then don`t think of it as more, think of it as: we have everything Orlando wants, LA doesnt - yet they get the prize...
Well, yeah. But unfortunately for us, it's pretty much established that Dwight is a bit of a word-that-rhymes-with-bunt.
He doesn't have to re-up in Orlando if he's part of a three-way with Cleveland which is destination he said he'd be happy with and the Cavs have just as many attractive assets (especially draft picks) as the Rocks have. My point is that Rocks fans seem to believe they can wait this thing out and ultimately low ball Orlando because they're the only game in town. If Morey can land Howard at a bargain basement price by waiting this out, then it's worth taking the risk that Dwight may not be healthy or that he may not re-sign in Houston. If he has to pay through the nose, then he'd prefer Bynum at a lower price but that doesn't really work because the Lakers aren't in a position to do much of anything following the Nash deal. As far as Orlando is concerned they give up Howard either way so they aren't going to take less just because Bynum ends up in Houston and Howard ends up in LA. Cleveland chnages everything because they can outbid the Rocks easily if Gilbert wants to and Cleveland is a destination where Bynum has said he would consider re-signing. With Dwight wanting to be in LA, Bynum willing to be in Cleveland and the Cavs having the resources to satisfy Orlando in the way of draft picks and young talent, Morey can no longer hope to low ball his offer. He and Gilbert are going to bid and one of them will eventually fold their hand because the price is too high. The Magic GM is playing this out wisely right now.
What exactly does Cleveland have to offer? Some picks, sure, Varejao, yeah not really a prize - and then? Which young talent are we talking about? Valancunias (or whatever he is called) perhaps? Not saying ours is definetly better, but I´m still struggling to see their best offer.
They have a bunch of 1st rounders that will probably be crappy, and the ability to take on bad contracts. That's pretty much it.
But we've seen how this works. Parts in play get leaked and it is reported that the deal involves all of those pieces, which isn't really the case. If Cleveland were actually offering two first-rounders and Varejao to Orlando for Howard, who would then go to LA for Bynum, this would be a done deal in my estimation. My guess is that: A. Cleveland isn’t offering multiple first-rounders, if any B. Orlando is insisting on dumping salary C. Cleveland wants an extension commitment D. All of the above Orlando acquired a bunch of bad contracts trying to keep Howard. Now that he wants to go, Orlando wants those contracts to go with him. But taking on those contracts inevitably decreases the return they can get for Howard. The problem with LA is that they want Howard but they can neither take on salary nor give draft picks. Cleveland and Houston have draft picks, but why would they want to take on long-term salary? Houston at least has a large expiring in Kevin Martin and lots of non-guaranteed contracts that would help offset Orlando having to hold onto some of those contracts.
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7x4jxs7 Is something I like. We'd send the Toronto pick, the Mavs pick, and our future 1st (Top 3 protected) to the Magic. We'd also flip Livingston to the Magic for Duhon. Unfortunately the price doesn't really change for acquiring Bynum, other than that the Lakers can take back one bad contract. Barring MWP agreeing to decline his player option, there is no way to really get the Lakers to do much more.
Morey's schtick is cap flexibility. No way he takes back Hedo and Q-rich while giving up Lamb only to get Bynum.
I won't give up any of our rookies to help Lakers get stronger by getting the better player out of the deal. Definitely wouldn't give up as much for Bynum as I would for DHoward.
Bynum did say the Cavs but that was before the Rockets landed Lin and now Asik is about to be on the Rocket's roster. Bynum should be asked the same question and I believe he would say he rather play in Houston(Lin factor). It would make a lot easier if Bynum comes out saying he would only sign extension with the Rockets only.
I don’t think there is any reason to get involved with LA. Without the Rockets, LA can do nothing. Morey should deal directly with Orlando and give them a couple of options. Either Kevin Martin and picks or unguaranteed contracts and picks, with Patterson or Morris thrown in. Orlando had the chance to take picks for this year’s draft, but once the Rockets’ scouting department and coaches put their time and work in, I say that ship sailed. If they wanted Lamb, White or Jones they should have taken those picks before the draft.
The only way I want to see DH in LAL is if both Bynum and Gasol are gone, and they take all the bad contracts including keeping WorldPeice. As long as I'm dreaming, I would want Bynum and K Love coming to Houston. And I want a pony. And a party. And a Golden Ticket. And an Oompa Loompa.
Not sure if this was said yet or not, But according to late night ESPN last night they were saying a 3-way including the rockets was off the table and now included Cleveland. And the trade would be this. lakers get: Dwight Howard Cleveland get: Bynum Orlando gets: Verajao and several picks from cleveland
I am sure the Magic would rather have the Rockets in the trade and are trying to make Houston add more to their offer.
