[CBS Sports] Howard no lock for Lakers; interested in Rockets

EDIT- The Rockets will most likely have around 2 million in cap holds as well which could make it challenging.

We are talking about rather small increments of money here, and Im sure there are ways of making this happen.

However, the most important part is trading Thomas Robinson. After that, with a little due diligence, they should be able to bring back Anderson and Smith.

 

if we are 500k short i dont think dwight will care as less state tax...

just tell him we can keep these players if he gives up 500k

 

More likely Morey, if they need 500K or so they see about unloading Royce White first.

If they still need a few 100K, they go to James Anderson and/or Greg Smith and tell them that they are about to sign a max free agent, and need to waive them.

However, they would like to re-sign them after the signing is official. So please wait around, and we will make sure you never miss a paycheck.

 

One more thing to think about, from the money perspective:

The idea that Howard will likely opt out after his third year and sign a new deal (rendering the "5th year" almost irrelevant) has finally gained some traction in the national media. It seems to me that it's especially likely here, because of the possibility of a lockout in the summer of 2017.

If you think back to 2011, one of the top reasons Team Carmelo forced a trade at the deadline, rather than wait until free agency, was due to the uncertainty of what new CBA negotiations might do to max salaries. They wanted his new deal locked in before any stricter rules could take effect. In these cases, the best financial move a player can make is to sign a maximum extension the season right before a potential new CBA. For Dwight, that means using his option in the summer of 2016 and thus making the "5th year" a virtual non-factor. I'm sure Dan Fegan knows this well.

 

I think the idea that we extend him for one year after his third season and give him an option to get out after the fourth season makes more sense. This matches his ability to opt out of a 5-yr original birds rights contract, and the timing of it with his age allows him to sign a fresh 5-yr deal that carries him to age 36.

 

Dwight would probably like to opt out after 3 years (age 30) and sign that coveted 5 year max. That second max is 5 year guaranteed. A lot could go wrong playing an extra year like injuries... Etc. He wants to sign that second max sooner rather than later.

 

If he's healthy in 3 years and performing well, it wouldn't surprise me if he took a 1-yr extension with the ability to opt out at the end of the 4th year. Morey and the Rockets would much prefer to do it your way. Because at the end of year 7 he would be a huge expiring contract on the decline that they could trade away and not have to worry about paying him super max dollars for 2 more seasons.

But if Dwight is healthy after year 3, what I brought up allows him to sign a fresh 5-yr deal if he simply stays healthy for one more year. And that's major money on the last 2 years of that deal, the last 2 years he will have the opportunity to carry that supermax deal as he will be 36 and have to take a paycut at that time.

 

Keep Greg Smith!

 

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If we don't end up getting Howard, is there a risk that Asik feels really miffed that the team and its superstar were so vocal about essentially obtaining his replacement despite the solid season that Asik had?

 

Asik is a professional, so I don't think so. Also, a lot of rumors include Howard saying he would like to play with Asik, and while clutchfans has floated trade ideas about Asik, Morey hasn't haha. Could very well mean Twin Towers, at least for awhile, so I don't think Asik would be too offended. Might not even move him, or ever have planned to (yet).

TRob on the other hand...

 

It depends on how those contracts are structured. If they're structured as team options, than Morey can just decline them. If they're structured as unguaranteed salary, then waiving them would put them on the waiver wire and any team can claim their contracts by putting in a waiver claim. It wouldn't be up to Anderson or Greg Smith as to whether they're allowed to wait around.

 

Hi. Lakers fan here, but I also like the Rockets and Warriors.

I truly believe that Houston is the best destination for Howard. Though I wish that wasn't true.

I also believe that the Rockets may have a chance (albeit, small) to ALSO get CP3. Though that would require a S&T to happen.

I haven't read this whole thread, but I have gone through a few pages. I saw where there were proposed scenarios where Lin and Asik could be offered up for CP3, but the general thought is that the Clippers may not want those pieces.

If Howard, spurns LA, I would hope that the Lakerwould be open to a S&T for Lin and Asik. That would leave enough space for the Rockets to make a run for CP3, or another top level guy like Josh Smith.

Forgive me if this was already discussed.

 

anyone see this video? howard's friend says "will you accept me when i come to visit you in houston"...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUTx4_gUcUk[/youtube]

 

[youtube]UUTx4_gUcUk[/youtube]

 

That is the kind of information you as an agent better be giving your client. This is a huge factor.

 

Did Dwight really eat with Rockets players last weekend?

 

Not sure who tweeted that, but I thought it was some LA news outlet.

 

Dwight? Is that you?

Stop trolling the fan forums!

Go practice your post moves!

McHale and Dream gonna be riding yo azz when you come to Houston!