Magic Posturing About Keeping Dwight Howard Until Feb. 2013?

My biggest fear is that Howard is going to use his back as an excuse to sit out large periods of time and not take things seriously in general, leading us back to the #14 pick range again.

 

Hennigan has got to realize his offers are only going to get worse as the season progresses. Any extended look he might get at rookies or potential trade assets like Lopez isn't going to change. It's not like Jeremy Lamb will be Lebron or Kevin Durant. Lopez isn't going to magically start pulling in double digit rebounds consistently. The idea of getting value for your star is just not going to happen. There is no trade package short of Lebron or Durant that would be worth Dwight. I don't know what the problem is here. He should take the best deal he can get right now and move on.

 

This. Now he looks like a psychotic ex girlfriend who won't let go.

 

If we traded Howard, our roster without him is a surefire top lotto team.

If we don't trade for Howard, our roster is so young and inexperienced, we are also a surefire top lotto team. If we landed the #14 in either scenario it would be a miracle.

 

This what I thought about

 

If they are going to LA to meet with Dwight, more than likely its to tell him that if he truely prefers Brooklyn then here is the plan...

Play nice for the first half of the season in Orlando, and we will get you there in February. If you want to go now its to the Rockets here within the next few days.

Orlando isn't going to try and persuade Dwight to sign an extension with them. They shouldn't have to. If they want to roll the dice and call his bluff then they should have decided to do so months ago. A player like Howard is never going to give up their bird rights. Its never been done before by a player of that calliber in their prime.

Why do you think the Rockets were even considering trading for Dwight at the trade deadline last season when they knew they wouldn't be able to trade him anymore? I think it was Morey's experiment to see if a player like him would actually walk away from an offer like that to take much, much less money to play elsewhere.

 

They'll say, sign a 3 yr extension or you're going to Houston. Take it or leave it, bro.

 

BS, if they were going to trade with Brooklyn they'd have done it already. Dwight is NOT going to Brooklyn no matter what.

They'll tell him extend or go to Houston.

 

He will leave it. And then this mess will finally come to a resolution.

This is beyond pathetic for the Magic. They're like the battered wife that is begging the husband to stay with her. He said no thanks just a couple of weeks ago.

 

I agree, but they may still be able to get Bynum if he is healthy and willing to sign with them. I admit that is going to be tricky.

 

Other teams ? Where are they now ? There is no great bidding war for Howard because of the baggage.

I'd go Martin,Morris,Patterson and one of either White/Jones Picks and take 2 contracts ... That would be max for me ... No other team has the ammo to beat that.

 

I think you are misunderstanding how most people feel about trading for Howard. I don't really want him but at the price you listed I would gladly take him. I don't think you will find many people on this board that are against White, Martin, Toronto pick, Dallas pick for Howard/Richardson.

 

So first Orlando used NJ as a pawn to try and convince other interested teams that they were close to a deal with the hope of getting others to up their offer. Then we had those false Cavs 3-way rumors for the same reason. Then Hennigan tried pulling back, and stalling to see if other teams would jump into the frey or someone would increase their offer. Now we've got these reports about Orlando potentially waiting till next year to deal Dwight.

It's all just a game. It's all just a way for Orlando to increase their leverage in a negotiation. You know how i know that Morey is going about this the right way? Orlando hasn't accepted our offer yet. In the end Morey will outlast all of these tricks, and our original offer will still be the best one Orlando has in front of them. Morey ain't increasing the offer one bit more than he has to, and right now, he doesn't have to. They're not taking the Dwigtmare into the season with a new coach. They're desperate for a fresh start. This is just another ploy.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Do I think the Orlando Magic can convince Dwight Howard to stay, no. Can they force him to stay, yes. There is a BIG difference in the two</p>&mdash; Jarrod N Rudolph (@JRudolphSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JRudolphSports/status/227769519978987521" data-datetime="2012-07-24T14:17:39+00:00">July 24, 2012</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Howard wants out of Orlando and there isn't much the Magic can do to change that. The idea that he'll change his mind in favor of Orlando</p>&mdash; Jarrod N Rudolph (@JRudolphSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JRudolphSports/status/227770182901317632" data-datetime="2012-07-24T14:20:18+00:00">July 24, 2012</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>without significant upgrades before the season, in a pool where there aren't many players in their reach, is wishful thinking.</p>&mdash; Jarrod N Rudolph (@JRudolphSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JRudolphSports/status/227770343039852544" data-datetime="2012-07-24T14:20:56+00:00">July 24, 2012</a></blockquote>
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Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports
Howard wants out of Orlando and there isn't much the Magic can do to change that. The idea that he'll change his mind in favor of Orlando without significant upgrades before the season, in a pool where there aren't many players in their reach, is wishful thinking.

It's Rudolph granted, but at least it's about the only thing he's good for... being a mouthpiece for Dwight.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Appears I've reached the point where I am fully desensitized to any Dwight Howard news.</p>&mdash; Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_SI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_SI/status/227770233551732736" data-datetime="2012-07-24T14:20:30+00:00">July 24, 2012</a></blockquote>
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I am starting to get see sick too!

 

Beat me to it, jsmee

 

While I believe the Brooklyn deal was completely blown out of proportion weeks about by BSPN, there was enough legs to a deal for Hennigan to call a press conference to say they are backing out of deal.

If Hennigan was going to call Dwights bluff like the Rockets were willing to do then they would have chose that direction a long time ago. Obviously they are willing to try and get something... anything for him. Its silly to think that Hennigan wouldn't at least "try" to get a deal done with Brooklyn to at least take on bad salary at the deadline, and get those 3 first round picks from Brooklyn as well.

Who knows if Lopez lives up to the Bucher hype or not, but if Orlando wants to still get something in return they know they can get it in February.

That being said, the Rockets can obviously trump that offer, and we all know it.

All indications are that Orlando is lookiing to move him for the best available option and are not playing the game of calling his bluff. There's no reason to think that they would not take the deal out there from the Nets if they had to in February unless they dramatically change their stance.

 

By doing that though, he lowers his stock and the chances of getting the contract that he wants. Teams might see him as damaged goods or not as good as he once was.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>They Magic can tell Dwight they won't move him and force him to leave Orlando for the limited options he'll have in the summer of 2013</p>&mdash; Jarrod N Rudolph (@JRudolphSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JRudolphSports/status/227770983782703106" data-datetime="2012-07-24T14:23:28+00:00">July 24, 2012</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>But that approach represents short-term thinking and wouldn't help them with high-profile free agents in the future.</p>&mdash; Jarrod N Rudolph (@JRudolphSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JRudolphSports/status/227771169892339713" data-datetime="2012-07-24T14:24:13+00:00">July 24, 2012</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The Magic could also use a January trade to Brooklyn (their best chance) as a bargaining chip to buy themselves more time w/ Dwight.</p>&mdash; Jarrod N Rudolph (@JRudolphSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JRudolphSports/status/227771392672804865" data-datetime="2012-07-24T14:25:06+00:00">July 24, 2012</a></blockquote>
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