So, the point is..... Dwight could indeed be using us for leverage. "If you don't trade me to ......... (GS, Brooklyn, etc.), then I'm going to walk to Houston. In that scenario, LA would most likely capitulate and trade him to GS as he wishes. That's why I believe the GS rumor is legit and I believe it is a possibility. It's doable cap wise, could be a very non-complicated trade. If it involved a third team, they would most likely get Atlanta or possibly Milwaukee to co-operate and take on a salary.
I just named the team. Bogut is a top 3 paint defender when he is healthy. And he's an expiring contract. Atlanta has to pay out around $51 million in 2013/14. They'll have to pay someone. After Dwight/Paul/Smith are off the board, what is left? He's an expiring deal. They could get it done. And we're not even talking about David Lee? Wonder if Smith walks away from Atlanta and Dwight and Paul ain't coming.....wonder what player they could get for $13.8 million of cap space that would be better? You could make the case that Lee is a better player than Smith. (I personally don't think so but it could be argued.) Tell me what better player in free agency after Dwight/Paul/Smith are gone is going to come to Atlanta for $13.8 million that would be such a better value than Lee? Atlanta's (and to a certain degree Milwaukee's and Charlotte's) cap space is a HUGE WILD CARD in where Dwight ends up.
You don't get it. For starters, there's not much the Lakers can do. There is zero incentive for Dwight or the team he goes to to work a S&T with the Lakers -- it's the same money. Whether LA wants him to go to GS or HOU, it doesn't matter. It comes down to Dwight. If he picks a destination that requires a trade to get his money, then LA will work at it, but otherwise it's all a moot point. Furthermore, even if Dwight's first choice is a team like GS, the Lakers would absolutely rather get nothing than a bad S&T. Shelling out $50 million in luxury tax money over having Bogut and Biedrins? That's not good. Compromising your future cap room to have a David Lee in his 30s making $16 million/year? That's not good. Barnes and Thompson are interesting young players, but they're nowhere near good enough to offset the backbreaking consequences of accepting Bogut/Biedrins with one of them. The only way is if Bogut/Biedrins/Lee could be dealt elsewhere, and as explained to you, you won't find a team willing to give up $15 million in cap room at the start of free agency for guys like that.
Dwight Howard would be stupid not to choose the Warriors or the Rockets. With the Lakers getting old, Kobe won't be the same with that injury he had, how do you expect the Lakers build around Dwight Howard?
This is the problem folks. Are the Lakers really going to admit to rebuilding and trade away Dwight for Klay Thompson and extra salary? They'd be in the lotto for years. If Dwight leaves the Lakers won't be the ones who trade him.
You're ridiculous. Go through the free agency list. There are dozens of more intriguing options than Andrew Bogut. If ATL is willing to pay $15 million for one year, I guarantee you they could find a more reliable player for that price than Bogut. As for Lee, here's a better player for Atlanta: Overpaid Veteran X on a 1-year deal. In case you haven't noticed, cap flexibility is the name of the game in the modern NBA. Danny Ferry is a smart GM. If the Hawks can't land Dwight or Paul, then like the Rockets, they'll look for one-year stop gaps (Gasol?) while maintaining flexibility for trades and signings going forward. Giving out $16 mil/year deals to David Lee in his 30s puts you firmly on the mediocrity treadmill, and teams aren't going to be lined up to do that in the opening moments of free agency. There are many more preferred scenarios.
Sorry. You don't get it. The incentive for Dwight to work a S&T is to be able to go to a team that he wants to go to that doesn't have cap space... like the Warriors. And your point about LAL not wanting Bogut/Lee. Could be true. But they would value a $17-20 million TPE. Believe me, they would value that TPE. The overwhelming odds are that if Dwight decides he wants to go to any other team besides the Lakers or Rockets he will be signed and traded there. Because the Lakers want to get something for him even if it is just a rookie and a TPE.
You have to look at like this when it comes to Howard: 1. Better supporting cast vs. Post Game Howard a. It is a given that Golden State will provide the best supporting cast to Howard in the league. However, the offense does not fit his style. Golden State is system that is meant for Mike DA which we obviously saw was the worst thing to happen to Howard. The system in GS allows the offense to go through Curry, not Bogut. b. Coming to Houston, with one of the best centers of all time coaching him, is the right thing to do. Not only would the offense run though Howard, but the pick and role system that would be established here in Houston would make us very deadly.
You have to look it the way Dwight is looking at it to figure out where he ends up at. Systems? How about....Mark Jackson vs. Kevin McHale? Try looking at that and figuring out who Dwight would prefer? Not that Dwight wouldn't like McHale. But Mark Jackson...I can tell you right now Dwight likes Mark Jackson....a lot. And I can tell you right now Dwight likes a good young guard...like Harden .... or Curry. And I can tell you Dwight likes really good shooters like Klay Thompson. To try and figure out whether Dwight prefers GS to Houston is impossible right now. Cyberx is saying this was all done intentionally by Dwight to see who is leaking info. I believe that is the case. But that in no way discounts the fact that GS is the type of team that Dwight would like to play for....just as Houston is the type of team Dwight would like to play for.
Yes, they would. Unfortunately, they can't get a TPE from Golden State unless the Warriors shed close to $30 million in salaries elsewhere, which isn't going to happen. The overwhelming odds are that Dwight will sign with a team that has the cap space to sign him without a trade, because the Lakers aren't going to make a trade just to make one. Yes, they'd love to "get something for him" if it's just a rookie and a TPE. If that's the case, though, then the mystery team would already have the cap room to sign Howard themselves. If they don't, it involves the Lakers paying a massive luxury tax bill for crap players, and some mid-tier rookie isn't worth that. Dwight will not be traded this summer, because any team that can give the Lakers the limited assets they'd like (rookie/TPE) inherently has the cap space to sign him without a trade.
Except one has the cap room to sign Howard, and the other needs to trade at least $30 million in overpaid players for no salary in return -- all by the start of free agency -- to even get in the conversation. Just a slight difference.
So, the cred of the article is the value of Biedrins? Less? And the cred of MOST of what is 'reported' is how much better? Is it July yet? LBJ, have you had your obligatory Parade already?
Good evidence there. Anyway, I think I've sufficiently proven that you're just trolling at this point, so I'll bow out.
Easily? What do you mean easily? Both Bogut and Lee are making the max, if a team has 15M in capspace lying around why would they waste it on bogut/lee for a low pick? I understand not everyone is a capologist but try to think of a scenario where you dump30m in salary and dont get contracts in return.
