Because they want Howard as much as we do? Howard is a free agent. Every team has the ability to go after him.
Don't be so sure. Imagine a SnT w/ LAL. If Dwight says he will leave for Houston unless a SnT to GSW happens, LAL might consider it. GSW offers Bogut (expiring $14M) + Barnes + 2014 late first round pick Lakers are currently sitting at around $77M in salary. Taking this additional $17M will mean too much of a luxury tax. But doing this means they get Barnes, a young prospect that is already good and yet still has a lot of upside. Known commodity tends to be better than chance (i.e., draft). LAL will have to amnesty or trade for nearly free Pau Gasol. This will then actually SAVE them money by doing this deal, though they will still have aboutn an $8M luxury bill this season. If they let Dwight walk for free, they will most likely amnesty Metta instead to get under the tax (Nash can't be due to when he was traded to the Lakers). I personally think LAL w/ Pau is a better team than LAL w/o Pau and instead w/ Barnes and Bogut, at least in 2013. That means their 2014 pick will still be pretty good. Regardless, I Don't think it will change too much either way. Plus, now they also get GSW's late first rounder. Being in repeater tax territory (which begins next yr) is not too big of a deal for them because in 2014, only Nash will be on their books. Since their team will consist mostly of FA signings, it is hard to get that much over the salary cap. They can't even SnT to get over it really because the only asset they can trade away is Nash. So LAL will most likely not be very deep into luxury tax next season, if at all. They'd have to REALLY try. Dwight walks and their 2014 plans remain the same. Bogut comes off the books, Pau was going to come off anyways, just getting rid of him (off another major surgery) 1 season sooner...still only Nash on the Books, except now they also have Barnes, a great young prospect to have. He has a team option, so should they really decide to get rid of him, they still can (doubt it). Their pick should not be TOO different, and now have GSW's as well. I can see GSW being a threat. Dwight would still be perfectly happy w/ GSW, I imagine, if all they gave up was Bogut + Barnes.
I'm just mad that there is even a slight chance we get shunned again three free agencies in a row. Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, and Dwight Howard again. Why can't we just sign a ****ing free agent star?
first, LA has mentioned they're not interested in a S/T. second, what kind of future is Golden State giving up a first round, Bogut, plus Barnes compared to Houston with its money, talented core, and plus the possibility in scoring Smith? Plus the time factor? Golden State by a long shot.
To me this isn't close, really. Steph Curry is great when healthy, but he has land mines for ankles. James Harden is just as good, if not better, and has no injury histories. If you had the choice, would you really want to risk playing on a team here your by far next best player might become the next Roy/T-Mac/G.Hill/Amare? Of course not. Not when you could play with James Harden instead. Golden State would have to trade Bogut and probably one of Barnes/Klay to even get Dwight. Possibly a future 1st, too. They'd have rather limited assets left to improve their team. The Rockets on the other hand would still have a great deal of assets after signing Dwight. Already have the better complimentary pieces on their team, too. So, yeah, GS is the better fit... how?
Golden state is good, but they are definitely overrated. We beat them up this season is for one. Secondly, this is their first good season after being a bottom feeder for a while. They started off really hot being a top 3 team in the west and ended the season on a bad note falling to 6th, just out of 8th. They capped it off with a pretty good playoff run, but beat a team known for first round exits with injuries. I think they will be a good team next year, but Curry isn't as good as Harden and he is injury prone. Same comparison goes to Asik and Bogut.
GS, imo, is the better fit because curry (and klay...both of whom they'd keep) are better suited to play with dwight than Harden. Harden game is ball dominant, whereas Curry and Klay can both play off the ball, and they do so very well. Theoretically, they could get off quick shots w/ dwight in the interior ( andboth are better shooters off the catch than harden) I could see some issues with Harden's playing style and Dwight. Harden loves to drive, and, well, Dwight hangs out around the basket. So it could get clogged. Regardless, I'd obviously love Dwight to come to houston...but after watching GS in the playoffs, you have to think they could find a way to mesh with dwight (While losing really only 1 long term piece from that series--barnes)
Dwight opens the lane especially when doubled so Harden can have more open lanes. Same issue with shooting 3s and pick and roll.
Of course LA said they weren't interested in a S/T, if they said otherwise it gives the impression that they aren't 100% serious about resigning Dwight. Cleveland and Toronto said the same things, right up until the time they accepted S/T for cap exceptions. Second, Golden State would still be very good. Bogut and Howard play the same position, so that's a wash. While Barnes could be good, the production he gave last season would be largely replaced by Brandon Rush returning from injury. Thompson and Curry are young enough that they still most likely haven't reached their ceilings. David Lee's defensive deficiencies could be hidden by Howard, and GSW still have three lights out shooters on the wings. I'd say the future would be very bright. The question is if Houston can offer SnT that Lakers would like better. I could see them wanting Asik, because most likely whatever free agent they go for in 2014 won't be a center (im guessing a SF...), and a young PF, draft pick...but I don't think they'd want Lin, which is a problem because he's necessary to make the salaries match. Lin would probably have to go to a third team for a pick and/or cap relief for LA. I have no idea who that'd be, but if they can pull it off I think 2 picks, Asik and a PF gets you a conversation unless LA is seriously high on barnes...
******* IT DWIGHT. THE CHOICE IS PRETTY OBVIOUS DONT FK THIS UP.... lakers -> Kobes b**** on a failing/aging team mavs -> lol really? warriors -> Team would be gutted just to sign him HOUSTON ->bonafide/durable star in Harden, dat boo Parsons and likely getting 3rd star with all dat china money from your former dominator Yao, CMONNN MANNN.
