To answer the OP. Yes, I think they messed up. They should have dealt him early in the off-season. Probably during or prior to the draft. Given the rise of the rooks against peer level competition, along with the signing of Lin and possibly Asik. It has given Morey a legit plan B(rebuild with the youth), a plan that can rival plan A (go after Dwight). Morey has no reason to increase his trade offer for Dwight without an extension, and like you said, with the increase in value from the rooks the offer may be lessened.
The fact that Dwight doesn't want to behere means we better not give away the whole barn. They get salary dump or future assets. Not freaking both
I really want to keep all of our rookies too. But face it, if they're not gone after a Dwight or Bynum deal, those that are left over will be traded soon afterwards for an All-Star or good vet to go with our new center. I doubt we'll have any of them at the end of this next season. This whole rebuild was a bait and switch because Morley finally realized teams want young prospects and picks, not good role players. The only way we keep our rooks is if the Dwight deal doesn't go through.
Orlando's not regretting anything because of a few summer league games. We don't know what Houston's offer was, nor what it is now. Trades like this can take months. The Artest trade alone took nearly a year and he's no Dwight Howard.
I think the packages might be something like this.If we trade for Dwight Morris,Parsons,Jones,Martin,Toronto Pick and Dallas Pick. (This one they they get Jones and expiring in Martin who is also a Vet, Parsons who is a starter with upside and Morris.) Morris,Jones,Lamb,White Toronto Pick and Dallas Pick. (With this package they'll get three of our rookies who can play and Morris and two picks.) The package would have to depend on who we take and what we value and what Orlando Values. Young guys with a Vet/expiring,picks or purely just young guys and picks. I think we get a Combination of Dwight+ two or one of the bad contracts (Duhon,Glen,Hedo,Richardson). If a trade was to go down for either package I can see a line up of Lin/Livingston/Machado Lee/Lamb/Zoran Hedo/White/(3rd String SF) Donatas/Patterson/Leur Dwight/Asik/(3rd String Center) Lamb would be a sixth man. (This lineup is if we take back Hedos contract) Morris,Jones,Lamb,White Toronto Pick and Dallas Pick. (With this package they'll get three of our rookies who can play and Morris and two picks.) Lin/Livingston/Machado Lee/Martin/Zoran Hedo/Parsons/(3rd String SF) Donatas/Patterson/Leur Dwight/Asik/(3rd String C) This is giving 3 of our rookies but keeping Martin as an expiring and taking back Hedo. but I dont know if both rosters are under the cap and etc, just saying my mind main point is we are not giving the farm unless Morey chooses too and what the Magic value more.
Bird rights make this situation not true. If Howard doesn't get traded before the season then only the Orlando Magic have his bird rights. After the season starts any team that trades for Howard won't have his bird rights and thus won't have an advantage when it's time to resign him. So Howard would have all the power again by saying he just wouldn't resign except with Brooklyn. At that point no one gives up any valuable assets for half a season of Howard with no advantage over other teams in resigning him.
This is definitely what I am hoping for at this point. Avoid Dwight completely as he clearly does not want to be here, and let the rookies play out the season together and get accustomed to the league. Once next free agency hits, try and get Bynum since he actually wants to be here
I have to believe Orlando has messed up big time. The blame has to go to the owner and front office. No way they should have been in the position of just hiring a new GM right before the draft. No way. That's very bad management. Who knows what we offered before the draft, while the Nets were still serious suitors, but it wouldn't surprise me any if it included those three first round picks...as well as the lottery pick next year. At this point, the market for DH12 is less than it was before the draft. No question. The Magic has really handled this poorly...and the pressure on them will only build as we go forward. For us, I really believe Bynam is our best target....and our offer now is less than what it was just a few weeks ago.
Maury got us in a position where the only way is up. Nothing that is done from this point is a really bad move. We either get better with a trade or we sit and wait to get better. Neither is a bad option. These rookies still don't know jack about defending starting NBA talent. They do look good, but don't get too enamored over summer league offense. Another point, it's nice to finally have a coach that matches up with the players.
All this mess should further confirm why stars leave ORL...for else where.... 1. Shaq 2. TMac 3. Dwight As much as we dog on Les...The Rockets are a better run organization...if not one of the tops in the league...
I really hope Morey is lowballing them. If they leave the table, we'll just rebuild from youth. No big deal.
