Lakers have dropped on Dwights list

[mavs777]

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.c...t-howards-list

First off, if you’re a Magic fan, stop reading this. You’re only going to get frustrated and angry that the big mean media is once again making up stories about Dwight Howard when he clearly wants to re-sign in Orlando. After all, he said he loves the city! And who says that and then leaves? So you should just stop and go check out StayDwight.com instead. You’ll be happier and I won’t have to feel like a heel for pushing material that clearly could not be more untrue to you which will only worry you. So long, Magic fans!

(They gone? Okay, back to reality.)

It really is possible Howard stays in Orlando, I wasn’t just making that up. The guy’s been there a long time, the Magic have always been aggressive in trying to build around him, and a possible franchise tag could lock him up against his will. But the noise out of Howard’s camp isn’t fabricated, despite what Magic fans may want to believe, and there’s enough of it to buy into the idea there’s something going on, especially when combined with what we know of his personality and branding, which, let’s be honest, portrays an image of a guy who wouldn’t marry the camera, but might give it a promise ring.

The big assumption has been that the Lakers with all their flashbulb opportunities would be where Howard lands, but ESPN’s Ric Bucher said in a chat Friday that doesn’t look like the case at the moment.

Lakers have slipped on Dwight’s list for reasons beyond (Bynum being “untouchable”). I’d rank his preferences in this order: Orlando, Dallas, NJ, Lakers. But for Orlando to keep him, they’re going to have to make some serious deals, ones that I’m really doubtful they can pull off.
via Chat: Chat with Ric Bucher – SportsNation – ESPN.

That second city on the list is going to raise some eyebrows. The Mavericks will have expiring contracts, young talent, draft picks (they’re one of the few teams who haven’t completely mortgaged their long-term prospects to improve), and a market big enough to contain Howard’s ego while putting him next to a Hall of Famer. Obviously how the Mavericks fair in the Finals might affect this decision but that’s an intriguing prospect. The Nets remain an option with Brooklyn on the horizon, despite their continual “Knick-ing” of themselves (defined as “removing all long-term prospects and assets in a fruitless pursuit of immediate and significant improvement”).

The hometown team is still first, just like Toronto and Cleveland were still first on the other’s lists. Dwight’s not either of those players, but he’s also experienced just as much frustration. Derrick Rose winning the MVP over him despite Howard’s very arguable superior season, in a landslide, has to make Howard wonder where the lack of respect is coming from and what role markets played into it.

Howard staying would be the best thing for everyone. He would have an opportunity to man up and be the guy for the franchise, Orlando wouldn’t lose yet another superstar to brighter lights of a bigger city, the tied would be stemmed on the mass migration of stars to the five top markets, and Otis Smith would still have a job. And it could happen.

It just doesn’t feel like it.

[Mavsfan4ever]

How long does Howard have left on his contract with the Magic?

[Lakeshow24]

Originally Posted by Mavsfan4ever

How long does Howard have left on his contract with the Magic?

It's up after the 2012-2013 season, but he has a player option on the final season. Imo this is stupid to say that just because the Lakers lost this year they have slipped on his radar, it's like dude, have you been watching the NBA for the last few years? Obviously I'm a Laker fan and I would be pissed if Howard didn't want to join them but lets be real, even though the Lakers are older, if you have a team with a still very capable Kobe, and he will be for the next few years given his amazing work ethic, Gasol, Odom and Artest along with Howard; I'd like my chances to win a championship with that team even if I'd been to the finals 10 times in a row.

[mavs777]

I am guessing this has more to do with the fact that Howard is not a Mike Brown fan, who is virtually Stan Van Gundy X2. Not to meantion the Lakers don't seem to all have the same plan up stairs, there are a lot of ego's to fill.

[Variant]

I think this will be the downside of the Mike Brown hiring -- he's gonna give a lot of free agents "pause". Not that he's a bad coach, he's just young (in coaching experience terms) and I could see some of the big name guys the Lakers would have had a great shot at this year waiting to see how things play out next season. If it looks like a couple years of Rudy T style flailing around, the big draw in LA may change from the Lakeshow to the "Blakeshow" in a hurry.

[fluid.forty.one]

Why in the world would Dwight want to play here 2-3 years from now?

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by fluid.forty.one

Why in the world would Dwight want to play here 2-3 years from now?

Because Cuban has a commitment to winning, Dirk will still be an all star level player at worst and Texas has no state income taxes. That's my guess. Plus if he got here sooner he'd create one of the best front courts in NBA history.

[j0Shi]

Howard aside I think it's funny that ppl start to realize that the Mavericks, maybe for the first time since 06/07, didn't make a major trade to improve their roster. Kept their picks, aquired talent (Brewer) and yet still made it to the Finals.

Downside of this possibility is that we would have to part ways with Haywood and Chandler.

[fluid.forty.one]

Originally Posted by jthig32

Because Cuban has a commitment to winning, Dirk will still be an all star level player at worst and Texas has no state income taxes. That's my guess. Plus if he got here sooner he'd create one of the best front courts in NBA history.

You can't tell me you wouldn't be surprised if Dallas was his NUMBER 1 choice 2-3 years from now with Dirk being 35, no J Kidd and an aging roster.

[tcat075]

Originally Posted by j0Shi

Howard aside I think it's funny that ppl start to realize that the Mavericks, maybe for the first time since 06/07, didn't make a major trade to improve their roster. Kept their picks, aquired talent (Brewer) and yet still made it to the Finals.

Downside of this possibility is that we would have to part ways with Haywood and Chandler.

I love Chandler as much as the next guy, but exchanging Tyson for Dwight has no downside. Well, other than the fact that Chandler's a good dude, but he knows its all business (if hypothetically everything happened right and we gave up Chandler for Dwight two years from now).

[mavs777]

Originally Posted by fluid.forty.one

You can't tell me you wouldn't be surprised if Dallas was his NUMBER 1 choice 2-3 years from now with Dirk being 35, no J Kidd and an aging roster.

you can't predict a teams roster in 3 years, with Cubans pockets he will find a way to get talent here even after Dirk retires, just my 2 cents.

[92bDad]

Would you trade Chandler and Roddy B, this offseason if it got you Dwight Howard?

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by 92bDad

Would you trade Chandler and Roddy B, this offseason if it got you Dwight Howard?

Um, yeah.

Would Orlando be interested in Chandler/Roddy, that's the question...

[mavs777]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Um, yeah.

Would Orlando be interested in Chandler/Roddy, that's the question...

i dont think so, that is why i think we would have to obtain a player like ellis or martin.

[92bDad]

Postponed due to Championship activity this year...topic to be resumed after the finals are over...

apologies for biting early...may we all focus and enjoy this years Finals with hopes of Big Time success for our Beloved Mavs!!!