<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>According to <a href="https://twitter.com/jadande">@jadande</a>, Dwight Howard has already spoken on the phone with Jack Nicholson about remaining with the Lakers</p>— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) <a href="https://twitter.com/mcten/statuses/351770180419981312">July 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The Lakers and Warriors have engaged in no sign-and-trade talks for Dwight Howard, league source says.</p>— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/KBergCBS/statuses/351770706599616513">July 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>First trigger for Warriors-Lakers talks: Dwight would have to say in meeting with GSW officials later today that he wants to go to Bay Area.</p>— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/KBergCBS/statuses/351770923214450691">July 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Even if Dwight indicated desire to play in Bay, Lakers may still balk at sign-and-trade. Source says LA has demonstrated no appetite for it.</p>— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/KBergCBS/statuses/351771199128338434">July 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>From Earlier this morning at UCLA --> RT <a href="https://twitter.com/trandreww">@trandreww</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/warriorsworld">@warriorsworld</a> Steph and D12 <a href="http://t.co/hSyUcglLEN">pic.twitter.com/hSyUcglLEN</a></p>— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) <a href="https://twitter.com/warriorsworld/statuses/351770495970054145">July 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The Lakers and Warriors have engaged in no sign-and-trade talks for Dwight Howard, league source says.</p>— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/KBergCBS/statuses/351770706599616513">July 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>First trigger for Warriors-Lakers talks: Dwight would have to say in meeting with GSW officials later today that he wants to go to Bay Area.</p>— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/KBergCBS/statuses/351770923214450691">July 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Even if Dwight indicated desire to play in Bay, Lakers may still balk at sign-and-trade. Source says LA has demonstrated no appetite for it.</p>— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/KBergCBS/statuses/351771199128338434">July 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Hard for me to believe Howard doesn't know what he wants to do at this point.</p>— chris palmer (@ESPNChrisPalmer) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNChrisPalmer/statuses/351771923157491712">July 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Danny Ainge said he made courtesy call to Dwight Howard's reps to see interest in coming to <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23celtics&src=hash">#celtics</a> through s & t. Answer was no</p>— gary washburn (@GwashNBAGlobe) <a href="https://twitter.com/GwashNBAGlobe/statuses/351769301243539457">July 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> lol
Objectively speaking, the Rockets aren't real contenders next year, unless they pick up a third star, and even then, that first year is usually filled with line up changes and instability. They're not likely to win anything in a year either. A playoff run? Sure, but they've got some learning to do. If the Lakers can sell DH on the idea that Kobe and Pau take less money and they can attract a guy like Granger next season, then that changes their whole outlook. Of course nash and Kobe's health are of importance, but given Kobe's work ethic and current progression, i think he'll be fine. Nash is the question mark, but so is our inexperience at PG. Nash can be traded next year as a large expiring...
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>According to <a href="https://twitter.com/jadande">@jadande</a>, Dwight Howard has already spoken on the phone with Jack Nicholson about remaining with the Lakers</p>— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) <a href="https://twitter.com/mcten/statuses/351770180419981312">July 1, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
May not be tampering, but it is sketchy. IF this is real, this *could* be construed as an enticement from a "affiliated company" by the NBA front office. EDIT: Want to make it clear, Im referring to the reality show, not the "movie".
Its all PR from everywhere at this point. You can't really believe anything especially with an extremely fickle guy like Dwight Howard. In my objective opinion I still believe Lakers are front runners or at least have the edge in re-signing him when its all said and done. Hard to beat out Hollywood and one of the most celebrated franchises in all of sports. From a basketball perspective the Rockets are a complete no brainer, but were talking about a very wishy washy type of a guy in Dwight Howard. Im not counting on anything until he signs.
Nice find. So then why would Time Warner be involved in the Lakers pitch to Howard? Shouldn't that raise raise red flags to NBA Officials?
That picture of Steph and D12 on the morning of July 1 is a bit worrisome. Hopefully the Lakers hold strong.
The Lakers are trying to pull out all the stops. Fact of the matter. If Dwights concerned about winning, than he will come to Texas.
Once upon a time, Cleveland wasn't open to signing and trading LeBron. Why insist that they can't make a sign-and-trade that doesn't cost them $10s of millions for players they don't want?
Smith may go for it - but will his agent? One thing I do remember is that I was pretty surprised that Smith signed a reasonable contract from the Grizzlies which was then matched (5 year/58) which puts him around the 12 million mark which is not a bad value for a guy of his skill. I think he probably realized the same that he played relatively on the cheap the last few years and wants his money now. This will be the last great contract Smith will be able to get - he needs to make this one count. I dont know if getting Smith for Howard is a smart move - of course the Rockets need to do it if it means getting Howard. Smith's questionable shot selection on offense is worrisome and his ability to space the floor leaves much to be desired. I dont know if the numbers play out to something that is favorable to the Rockets but if Morey and his crew wish to get Smith - they know what they are doing. I still have this hunch that they are targeting someone else - Morey plays it close to the vest but Smith on a near max contract will be untradeable in the future - I can't see Morey doing that
If the Lakers actually brought TW to their meeting with DH12 then I don't see how it couldn't be defined as circumvention.
