Howard claims his decision comes down to where he has the best chance to win championships. Last year Nash played in only 50 gms. He's now THIRTY NINE yrs old. Last year Gasol played in only 49 gms. He'll be thirty three on Saturday. Kobe is coming off a major injury and will be THIRTY FIVE in Aug. So he decides to stay with the Lakers because they know how to build a team and the '14 Free agent class is loaded? Here's the notable unrestricted Free agents next summer: Pierce K. Humphries Deng Nowitzki Marion V Carter Bogut Granger C Butler Pau Kobe Z Randolph R Allen Bosh Lebron Wade Carmelo Stoudemire Sefolosha Turkoglu Hawes J. Richardson Gortat Duncan Bargnani Gay K Lowry E Okafor The players on this list that could help Howard/Lakers win are: Lebron--He's not going to LA to help Kobe win more rings Wade--not leaving Miami Bosh--not a difference maker Carmelo--not going to leave NY Deng Z Randolph--don't think he'd be a good compliment to Howard as they both need to be in the paint to be effective. He has the chance to play with Harden (24 in Aug), Parsons (25 in Oct), Asik (27 today), and Lin (25 in Aug). They could possibly trade Asik & Lin if they get Howard, which brings in another valuable player. So he claims he wants to win? Dallas, GS, Atl, nor the Lakers offer what the Rockets bring to the table in terms of talent. Aldridge & Love are possibilities in a yr or two, but with Kobe and Howard on the team that will be over 50 million for just these two players (Kobe isn't going to take a big pay cut). Also in two yrs Kobe is also THIRTY SEVEN yrs old. Just way too many "IFS" with the Lakers. They'll also need a point guard as well because Nash will be over FORTY and probably out of the league. All that said, just because Howard claims he wants to win, we'll see if it was just talk based upon his decision.
This is the same reason why I don't understand why Dallas is even being considered. First of all they don't even have a max contract to offer to Dwight w/ Nowitzki Carter and marion on the books. Secondly, there whole pitch of we'll build a team around you is folly based on the 14 FA list produced here. None of those guys outside of Lebron would put a team with just Dwight over the top. Carmelo shot jacks, Wade is sadly getting older, Bosh isn't a difference maker. Those are the top FAs outside of Bron and they're not gonna push you over the hump. Join the Red Howard it's only logical and Houston is the best city ever.
It is the Lakers though they will probably trade Antwan Jamison for lamarcus Aldrich after the season next year barely miss the playoffs, but win the draft lottery and get Wiggins. Pg Nash SG Kobe Sf Wiggins Pf Aldrich C Howard Perfect mix of veteran/prime/youth 3peat and Kobe retires with 8 rings and lebron retires with 3. Sucks to see this happen.
Most of the people are old or will #stay. There isn't anyone on that list that I'd begin my rebuild around that I expect to be available.
The Lakers trade Jamison for LMA? in what universe? The Lakers get Wiggins with the top pick in next season's draft? While they have D12? really?
