[ClutchFans] Rockets will seek Dwight Howard trade... again

Not to butt in on this argument but its spelled MOTIEJUNAS.

Ive done my fair share of mispelling his name too. Just thought id throw it out there in kind measure... carry on.

 

I actually think Westbrook + Perkins for Dwight. Just imagine that Pick and Roll combo with a wide open Kevin Durant on the perimeter yelling "Buckets!!"

 

Thanks for that.

 

Wow, many teams can offer better deals than the rockets, Magics need a star or a high pick, not several good role players for Howard, forget your 14th and 16th picks, they care less for them.

 

No, we do not want this to be true. I prefer him to go to Nets if we can not get him.

 

Also, hope there aren't any hard feelings about the Gasol thing. Just opinions.

 

There's a reason the Nets and Rockets were the only teams talking Howard with the Magic prior to his opt-in. If Howard won't sign an extension, why on earth would a team give a star or high pick for a one-year rental? Especially coming off major surgery.

Howard holds the cards. If he comes off his demands and expands his list, the Magic might get offers along the likes of Westbrook or Harden. If he's Brooklyn-or-bust, as he was this past year, the Rockets' package is as good as Orlando will get. Hard to say until the "reports" from Chris Broussard start trickling in during June, but it's possible.

 

Super scary thought I know. Harden/Dwight P&R combo would be unstopable to say the least. They you have Durant just chillen on the wings..... yeah, wouldn't be good news for any other team in the West. Im actually not a huge Westbrook fan on this current Thunder team.

I think every play should start with Harden and end up with Harden, Durant, or an open Dunk from a post player. Westbrooks game is just a filler for when Harden is on the bench. Still Westbrook could be a monster on another team that builds around him soley. Ok, back to Dwight... I feel ill just talking about this.

 

Well, I do not know the reason, but the problem is that Morey has been trying to get every star player on the market, from Bosh to Anthony, now the list is Howard. none of them was even close to be a deal. Unlike some people, I want to have Howard with all cost and risk, but I just do not see the package from us is good enough for the Magics.

 

And once again I hear nothing about what deals you think are out there for an un-extended Howard.

OKC is not going to give up anything for an unextended Howard. They are already a contender, why would they? All they would be doing is adding an element of risk they simply don't need.

 

Make my photoshop come alive you fat b*stard morey!!!!

 

Huh? The Rockets and Raptors had the deal worked out for Bosh... but Bosh didn't choose to come here (free agency). This time, the Rockets and Magic had the deal practically done for Howard (read Clutch's article)... but he opted-in. Howard again holds the cards this summer by deciding whether he's willing to expand the list of teams he's willing to re-sign with.

The only time the Rockets have been "trumped" on an offer was for Deron, when the Jazz wisely traded him two years in advance of his contract expiration. In that case, the Nets were willing to move a major young chip (Favors) because of the length left on the deal. That's not the case here. The Rockets have the pieces to get a deal done and have been very close on a number of occasions. But Howard still holds some cards, and that's what will determine whether this happens. The package is plenty good enough for the Magic as things currently stand.

 

OKC isn't trading Ibaka, Harden, or Westbrook for a non extended Howard. And Howard isn't going to sign an extension with OKC.

Morey wants that chance to convince a superstar to sign here long term. A lot of the franchises that have "better trade assets" aren't willing to offer those assets for any superstar until that star agrees to discuss extension with them.

 

Huh, I used a wrong word, deal. Pau deal was a real deal, all other deals were just proposals, I am doing this lots for asking funding.

 

You honestly want me to put together a list of hypothetical trades to match up against your hypothetical trade? How about I save both you and I some time by not going into the hypotheticals? Obviously, you feel pretty strongly about your proposed package, but the point I'm trying to make to you is your hypothetical trade is a real as Labmouse's proposed hypothetical trade. We know the rockets were in talks, but there were also other teams in talks. When the magic realize that Howard does not want to stay, they will press on and find the best deal put there. However, the magic had been focusing on trying to keep Howard in Orlando.

Honestly, I share your sentiments on wanting a Howard or similar caliber player on the rockets, but there Magic, if they are smart, will find better deals out there. A team like the grizzlies, the clippers, pacers, hawks, blazers and god forbid the thunder can all put together far more appealing deals if it ever came to that. Not saying they will, but they could. From the magic's perspective if I took your hypothetical deal, I have failed as a GM.

 

This........

Also Morey thinks that he has the roster flexibility (still has amnesty left) to sign another premium player if he already has Howard in the fold.

 

And once again, the point seems to be completely lost on you.

Many teams can put together a better package, but none of them will.

The Grizzlies could offer something around Gasol, maybe better than our hodgepodge of assets, but why would they. Howard would not stay there, thus they wouldn't even bother.

There is zero chance the Clippers offer Paul or Griffin. They have nothing else of value.

The Pacers have some nice pieces, but why would they risk destroying a great team if Howard walks after one year. Answer: they wouldn't

And so on and so on.

The only team which is a real threat here are the Blazers, who have 2 picks better than ours and have cap room to go get Deron as well. However outside of that, they don't have much to offer.

 

Quoted for posterity.

 

You might be underrating our talent. Our guys have a track record of being valuable on other teams once they leave. Are you insisting that Orlando needs to wait for a superstar to trade Dwight?

 

Big difference between trade deadline and offseason.

1. If you think Howard may walk you don't gut your team for 6 weeks of him. In the offseason, you can make a big trade for Howard and use free agency to plug the gaps.

2. Some teams are more willing or desperate. Dallas as a defending champ wasn't likely to make a big move. After a first round exit? Different game.

3. Different roster situations. Rockets will have cap room to take back bad contracts, but so will others. Almost no one has free cap space in mid season. Likewise, a team (we can hope the Rockets), may get an unexpected top 3 pick. That would change things.

I would expect a much heavier bidding competition this offseason.