Makes some sense if he has some sentimental attachment to Orlando still, but is frustrated with the front office moves to date. Dwight essentially giving the Magic until next February to either upgrade the supporting cast or trade him. He's not losing out on a ton of money (unless he gets injured) since he'll still get the max anyway and gets to see how things work out. I think Orlando told him that it will get easier to add talent via trade as their own contracts get 1 year closer to expiring. Orlando's leverage in this deal is basically the extra year and higher % increase that Dwight can get if he re-signs with Orlando or with whatever team he is traded to. So, I think Orlando told him that if he doesn't opt in, he'll have to take the pay cut in free agency, but if he does, they'll work with him next year to either find him a supporting cast or willingly trade him to a good situation. Another thing: If he opts in, Orlando can still trade him during the offseason (and he can still demand a trade in the offseason). By that time, the Nets will likely have locked up a high draft pick (and will know whether they won the lottery or not), which makes a trade more desirable for Orlando. If they trade him now, the Nets pick they receive lose value instantly as Dwight makes that team more competitive.
This is BS if he really said this and he basically just pulled a prank on everyone in the league... this is not cool. hate all these study drama and speculation. Just be straight where you want to go and when and then STFU and play basketball. It was lebron and then Melo and now this.
What if Orlando signs Deron Williams in FA this summer? Why can't they be a player just as much as anyone else?
You assume their situation stays the same today as it will this summer. Maybe they offload Turk for a bunch of draft picks. Who knows?
That is why- http://hoopshype.com/salaries/orlando.htm Their payroll is at $65M (amnesty doesn't count), cap is about $58M They would have to get rid of Hedo Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson and (Redick or Davis or JRich) to even have a shot at Deron.
Would he really just say that, thinking the Magic won't trade him on his word alone, and then still leave? That's the only thing that makes sense here..unless he wants to see what direction some teams take first...i don't believe this is about Orlando.
I wonder if the agreement is to trade Dwight in the offseason to NJ, after they've locked up a high draft pick.
My guess is that he has a wink-wink deal with Deron. He doesn't want the Nets giving up assets for him, so he'll pretend he's staying in Orlando. then opt out and team up with DWill, Lopez, and Brooks in Brooklyn.
Amnesty Turk. Make an offer teams can't refuse to take Nelson/Redick/Davis/Jrich AND Ryan Anderson/picks. Not saying it WILL happen....just that its possible.
If this is true, I wonder if something happened to sour him on going to the Nets. I've always felt staying with the Magic was his #2 option. Never took the Mavs seriously and any Lakers has been dead for a while.
They already amnestied Arenas. I get what you are saying, I'm just saying, it will take a miracle for them to unload that much salary. Especially since those guys aren't really that good.
this may explain it Steve Kyler @stevekylerNBA Reply Retweet Favorite · Open Howard sources confirm WFTV re[port as legit... he told team this afternoon... word is Magic involved in 3 team deal involving Josh Smith Retweeted by Sam Amick
This makes sense. They were gonna send him to his hometown Atlanta. His family/friends were gonna pressure him to re-sign there. So instead said f--- it, I'll do this again next year.
Ken Berger @KBergCBS Steve Kyler @stevekylerNBA Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA Chris Broussard @Chris_Broussard Brian K. Schmitz @MagicInsider
It's also possible the Magic informed Howard they would trade him to a team he doesn't like and he didn't want to be a short-term rental somewhere else.
Did not know that about Arenas...and ya, you're right. Geez Orlando's GM is kinda a cowboy with the Salary cap eh?
