The reason the Jazz let Jefferson walk for free was because of the logjam they have in the frontcourt. Why would they add another big, especially one with such an injury history and a bad contract??
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>My bet on a Dwight outcome: LA sign-and-trades Howard + Artest to GSW for the Bogut/Biedrins expirings + Klay Thompson + future 1st.</p>— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/statuses/353185233048313857">July 5, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
You know the nice thing about all of this? If we get DW, great. If we don't, we still have a pretty good team that is great to watch and don't HAVE to make any moves. Look towards next years big free agents. There are a lot of other teams that would love to have our "worst case scenario" coming out of all of this.
Yup thats what it has come down to. If he wants Houston there is no reason to hold out any longer and hurt our chances of getting Smith or other players (Calderon). If he drags this out longer that means he really wants GS and is waiting for them to clear out the cap.
One way or another, GS will have to give up MAJOR PIECES to get Dwight. Whatever the team looks like when they get him is likely how it will stay for years. They severely hinder their ability to deal in the future, which by all indications, goes against Dwight's wishes. He wanted to know how the team can keep improving over time.
If Howard goes to GS, these are what has to happen: 1. GS would have moved all their bad contracts by giving up their future #1s 2. Howard would have agreed to play for a team without immediate future picks 3. Howard would have agreed to get the 4 year 88 M contract (not 5 for 118M) AND take the California tax hit 4. Howard would have agreed to forego any possible China marketing connection 5. Howard would have agreed to give up the Josh Smith connection If all these happen, all the props to Howard and GS. He must REALLY REALLY want to play for Mark Jackson. I have no beef with that type of decision.
