The big free agent story in the NBA remains open and unfinished. Where will Dwight Howard go? Given how trades, all of a sudden can be vetoed for any reason, teams need to be careful. Orlando wants to drop payroll and get youth and talent in exchange for Howard. That is fine however, how many teams that are contenders have the necessary pieces and are willing to part with said pieces still remains as the question of the day. Howard has "released" his dream list of possible destinations: Lakers, Nets, and Dallas. This list is crap and here's why:
The Nets are trying to sell seats for the new arena in Brooklyn. Its no secret to anyone that the ownership does want to win championships but not more than they want to make money and fill the Amway Center. The Nets know that by physically moving to New York, they will have to contend with the Knicks' fan base. The only way the Nets can move in on the Knicks is to win. If you don't believe that then go ask the Clippers. Good luck with that! The Nets haven't been relevant since Jason Kidd was there and really were just a team that was the healthiest at the end in the east but I digress. Now that Lopez is hurt, the only real piece to trade with the Magic has ended any possible trade. Looking at the rest of that roster, Howard would be better served and more of a contender if he stay in Orlando. How are the Nets better then what he has now with just him and Deron Williams? The answer is that they aren't.
The defending champs just don't have enough to even be in the conversation. The Mavs could talk to another team to get involved but why would any team in the west want to help the Mavs repeat? A better question is what team would want to help some other team land Howard? The Mavs aren't young by any stretch and they already have a championship so why try to get Howard when you know you don't have the money to pay anyone else to come after you max out Howard? The answer is that Howard to Dallas isn't going to happen nor is it even logistically possible. Sorry Mavs fans.
With the Lakers, I'm not sold on them still wanting Howard as much. Especially the way Bynum has come out of his suspension balling. The Lakers need to be looking at the PG position and not the center position. As much as I like Derek Fisher, he's isn't the Fisher of 2004 and earlier. Fisher right now is a position filler who can handle the ball but asking him to guard the likes of Ty Lawson, Westbrook, and CP3 is too much. The next guy off the bench is no better. Please Laker fans, don't even fix your mouths to utter the name Blake or Barnes. You may be a little eccentric but you not crazy. The reality in Laker Land is a PG. Someone who can run Mike Brown's offense and create their own shot. This would take a lot of pressure off of Kobe which let's face it, isn't a spring chicken anymore. Kobe may only be 32 but he is in his 16th year. That is a lot a mileage especially the way Kobe brings his "A" game every night. While bringing in Howard wouldn't be a step back statistically for the Lakers, it isn't forward movement. Having to give up Bynum and Gasol, doesn't nothing to help you win. Go get a PG Lakers. That is your primary need.
You can agree or disagree but I'm not wrong. Orlando actually needs to show Howard how much they want him to stay. If I was Orlando owner, I would pull in Howard and tell him that the plan moving forward is to sign Deron Williams in the offseason. That would make Howard happy and keeps him in Orlando which is where Howard wants to be anyway. Explain to Howard that after Williams, we will get after what ever other free agent SG and SF Howard would want. Orlando has already lost a dominate big man and we all know what Shaq did after he got out of Orlando. If Orlando doesn't want a repeat of the summer of 1996, then they had better make Dwight Howard a happy man. Those who don't learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them. -George Santayana (1863-1952)
D!
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