Nobody is offering anything good. Do you really trade for Bynum straight up? That's the best single player you can get, and maybe there's a real chance he signs an extension. The problem is that even though you're getting a star player back, you have no flexibility because you can't get rid of your bad contracts. Bynum isn't as good as Howard, and the Magic weren't championship contenders with Howard. My worry would be that because of my lack of flexibility I would be stuck on the mediocrity treadmill, hovering around the borderline of the playoffs like the Rockets have been. You have the same problem with Golden State. Maybe they risk giving up Bogut, but they're not going to give up both Bogut AND Curry or prospects or whatever without Dwight promising an extension, which he won't do. Even if Bogut is healthy it just puts you back in the same boat as the Bynum situation. Atlanta could send you Horford and take back one of the smaller bad contracts, but is that situation really better than the Bynum one? Horford is much worse than Bynum or Howard. And you don't get any good picks or prospects in this deal. Who else is offering anything? Which team is going to take a chance? We haven't heard about anybody else being involved in talks for Howard. I can only go off credible news we have heard and based on that only Houston, LA, and Atlanta are involved in talks right now. I included GSW because in the past we heard they were willing to trade for Howard even though they seem to have fallen out of the discussion. So based on the news out there right now I go for the Houston offer. Only team which can take back 2 bad contracts to improve flexibility AND give up legitimate prospects AND give up solid picks in return.
Might as well just keep Dwight and hope he signs, if you go that route, imo. Honestly.. being completely honest, I would love to aqcuire the Rockets assets as currently assembled. They have to offer: Jeremy Lamb Royce White Terrance Jones Donatas Motiejunas (in 30 days or so) Raptors in-lottery protected 1st rounder Future Rox 1st rounder after obligation to Hawks fulfilled Major cap space to take on bad contract (J-Rich & Hedo top the list) What would you not want from that list to choose from... plus the multiple 2nd round picks that I haven't mentioned... for what it's worth picks are picks. A few second rounders can get you back into the first for a player you covet. In the end you have it all; young talent, potentially high draft picks, and cap space to be a major player in free agency. I'd take the Rockets deal over most, unless Bynum agrees to a contract extension, and that's a big ?.
