Seems talks between Morey and Hennigan shut down just after the SL and before the Olympics. Considering what is reported in this deal - Orlando got next to no return on Howard compared to what was expected by many here , myself included. The picks they recieve are likely late round picks as each team got better outside of Orlando. I see none of those picks having the value of the Toronto or Dallas picks. Dallas pick protection is poison to them rather than the team holding the pick. Not only is it a potential early lotto pick , they have restricted their own ability to trade future picks because of it. Toronto's pick only gets better with age to an extent with the lowering of the protection and they have been a perennially poor team picking in the lottery often. Cant believe Orlando would rather have three picks likely in the 20's than either of these picks much less one of the Rockets young players. Maybe Hennigan believes he can do what Morey couldnt and trade those three picks for an early lotto pick .... Good luck with that as we've witnessed Morey try to trade up every year and be unable to do so. The more I think about it , the more I come to the conclusion that Morey took several players off the table after summer league play - Parsons , Lamb , Jones and Motejunas .... leaving Orlando a choice of Patterson , White , Martin and one of the picks - not both along with taking back one contract. That still at least in my opinion , a better deal for Orlando than they get with this reported deal. Maybe Morey just told Hennigan to go screw himself .... which he did with this deal.
Clearly Morey pulled the offer. This trade makes no sense otherwise. I think it was a combination of Les Alexander getting behind a full rebuild with our young players and allowing Morey to not have to pursue a Dwight rental, and Morey sending a message not to ever string him along again like they did. I am so ecstatic that Dwight will not be a Rocket. I can't wait to see Jeremy Lin lead a young group of hungry players.
