There's been plenty of speculation that Dwight Howard's tenure with the Magic could come to an end via a trade before he's eligible for free agency in the summer of 2012. But might Gilbert Arenas and his large contract be part of any deal that ships Howard out of town as well? That's what ESPN contributor Larry Coon tweeted Monday. "I think if Orlando does decide to trade (Howard) they will try to make it a package deal with Arenas," he tweeted. "Or at least with Hedo (Turkoglu)." ESPN's Chris Sheridan also speculated similarly in his Monday chat. While this is certainly possible, Arenas and Howard will make a combined $37 million next season, perhaps making it a bit difficult for other teams to match salaries depending on particulars. For instance, a straight up trade of Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum for Arenas and Howard wouldn't work, according to ESPN's Trade Machine. But swapping in Pau Gasol for Odom in such a trade scenario would be agreeable under this season's salaries. Of course, more players could be added on either side of the fence to get a deal done. Source: ESPN
why all this talk of trading Bynum? he's done nothing wrong, Pau is the one who fucked this whole thing up, we dont need a sissy PF, we need a strong one who will not break down under pressure. maybe DHoward is the answer, but that isnt certain as that guy is largely overrated offensively. As for the PG, CP3 is a pipe dream, i dont think there is a way in hell that the lakers could land him. Hinrich maybe, atleast we would add some size and somebody that bothers to play defense. If fisher is in the starting lineup next season i will have given up all hope for this team. If the lakers want to land 2 top players, then kobe would probably have to be part of the package, so its not going to happen unless we get the kind of deal we got from memphis with gasol, which probably wont happen. something about jeff green makes me think he would be good with kobe and bynum, just a thought.
I still don't see D12 as the answer. He is atrocious offensively in terms of making his own play. Eventually he'll get fouled hard enough that he'll tear a shoulder, or something. And he is a liability to close games out, as well. I'd much rather try and re-tool instead of completely rebuild. I'd rather go after a solid PG + a shooter or pure scorer off the bench by dangling Pau or Odom out there. Pau's value has to be at an all-time low right now after the display he just had. Odom's is probably pretty high. D12 to LA is such a pipe dream, though. Orlando can get much better than a package around Bynum. They can get a younger player with just as much potential without a history of injuries.
The Orlando Sentinel allows readers to see what Dwight Howard would look like in another uniform and the Magic's center is not happy about that and other articles printed in the newspaper on Monday. Howard tweeted later in the day: "Y does it seem like the writers of Orlando Sentinel are tryna push me out of Orlando with dumb articles. It's annoying. Can I enjoy my summer and get ready for next season in Orlando. Pls. Same thing u guys did to Shaq. Smh" He then followed it up with, "I'm not blaming the media. I'm saying stop with the dumb articles. They don't make be decision of mine. I jus don't want Orlando fans to believe them. Cuz they don't know. I love my city." The newspaper and other members of the media speculated about Howard's future once again after the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday. The conjecture about Howard will continue, unfortunately, until his contractual status past next season is finalized. Source: Orlando Sentinel
For Odom? His contract is so friendly for his value. I think we could get a starting level PG like Hinrich and a good bench player.
And it's not like Howard can demand to go to Lakers, since nothing is certain with the new CBA, plus Lakers are so far over cap they won't be able to offer much anyways.
It could be a step down depending on the Lakers' return. We need two things -- a good/above average PG who can start and close out games and a solid bench scorer--a dude who can come off the bench and fill it up and knock down the 3 ball. I think that makes us a more complete team than just Odom.
I would love to get Dwight Howard if the Lakers can. However Arenas is a deal breaker. Not only does the team get stuck with his contract, we'd have to gut some key role players to absorb his deal.
He's the best center in the league by a wide margin. Who's the second best true center after him? Howard is still young (only 2 years older than Bynum) and he's improved offensively and is a game changer on defense. I know you mentioned you're worried about his free throw shooting, but Bynum isn't exactly lighting it up at 66%. Howard has a lot of upside still and some sessions with Kareem would improve his game. I really don't mind Bynum/Gasol/Odom trio either, but if you can acquire the best big man in the game for a fair price you have to do it.
Give me an all-star capable PG and a shooter >>> D12. Who the hell is gonna knock down shots for Dwight when he's getting double and tripled teameed?
No. But he's a capable PG. If we're talking about trading Bynum--we better get an all-star talent in return. We don't need a massive team overhaul, we need to tinker and get a good PG in here. Obviously if there is an all-star capable PG in play, the other pieces in the deal are going to be less valuable. However, if a PG like Hinrich is involved, we could get some nice fillers. Poor choice of wording, I guess.
i think odom is your secret weapon, basically an all star level player off the bench...you get rid of that for hinrich, who comes in when pau/bynum goes out? the drop off is crazy. i think you guys sign the best guard on the MLE market, assuming there still is one.
im assuming we stay with running the triangle... what do you guys think of trying for dwight and redick? in a lineup of Redick - Kobe - Odom/Artest - Pau - Dwight, odom or kobe can bring down the ball and redick would be our dead eye shooter. on a side note, if ever we do stick with the current lineup... i only wish that we acquire a player that makes money off shooting 3 balls (korver, bell, etc.), or we could bring back vujacic! lol
btw, if we do have a chance to trade dwight straight up (with picks and cash and stuff) for pau/bynum... who would you trade? rotation wise, i think it's better to keep pau... but after the performance he had in the playoffs, id much rather keep drew! but would a Dwight - Drew combo work in the starting 5?? is the post big enough and can dwight play pf?
Having a Howard-Bynum front court doesn't make sense. I think it's a safe assumption the team will run the Triangle offense next year, but I'd like to see more high pick and roll with Kobe & Gasol if he's still around. The Lakers usually pull off two blockbusters simultaneously and if they deal for Dwight Howard I would think they would have a second trade in place to acquire a backcourt player.
