Around the League (Offseason)

[Cheesebeef]

Mike Bresnahan ‏ @ Mike_Bresnahan 1m
Dwight was leaning strongly toward HOU but now wonders if taking $30 mill less is unwise...especially after back issues last 2 yrs.

lol.

this whole thing is ridiculous.

 

[JCSunsfan]

He told Dallas, GS, Atl, and the Lakers that they are out. He has not told Houston he has chosen them, but most media types can count. Met with 5 teams, that only leaves one.

My guess is that his agent is giving Dwight a chance to call Houston.

So, now, who will be shopping for a Gortat?

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Daryl Morey ✔ @dmorey While we are excited & cautiously optimistic @DwightHoward might choose Houston, we have not yet heard about his decision
3:34 PM - 5 Jul 2013

 

[CardsFan88]

Dwight wouldn't be taking 30 million less.

The number that matters is AFTER TAX, and with a 13 or so percent tax in CA and none in Texas, if everything was equal a 100 million deal would mean 13 million more made in Texas vs Cali. Now you'd have to go through the actual tax procedures to find out exactly, but it would be a huge chunk nonetheless.

Also people forget that 4 yrs vs 5 yrs is that at the end of 4yrs someone will still sign him and so really it's pretty much equal.

Especially when you hear on ESPN that Bynum may command 5-15 million this season. (literally what they had up there).

So add up tax savings + 5th year he's bound to get something for at least x millions per year and starts getting close.

Heck, if he stays healthy, which I think won't happen but it's possible, then only having 4 years, means he's a year younger and more likely to earn a 5 year contract. At some point players are simply too old to get that, but he could sign a 4 year, and be young enough for someone to sign him to a 5 year after that. So he could end up making more elsewhere through his career.

But seeing how miserable he is, if it was as bad as people perceived, then the few million shouldn't keep him from getting out of what appeared to be a miserable situation.

Of course it seems alot of that misery was on him, but nonetheless that's where he was.

Also the Rockets have a much stronger roster going forward. The team with the best contemporary players and best shot for him hands down is with Houston.

But I do think he's going to continue having back and shoulder issues. Just like I don't expect Frye to finish the season without having another shoulder popping out....if his heart allows him to play.

Yeah I also heard on ESPN that the Lakers know he isn't going to come back.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

A Lakers source who was in the team's pitch meeting last Tuesday said they felt Howard had essentially "made up his mind" before even meeting with Lakers and described him as "emotionless."


"He would barely look us in the eye," the source said.


From the ESPN article.

 

[CardsFan88]

On ESPN (TV), Steven A. Smith was talking about how in the Lakers meeting, it was mostly Kobe talking. Kobe and Nash. (and other reports were that Kobe was talking about how he was going to teach Dwight and that he just needed to take the time to learn the system and all that....not exactly a great pitch...though I'm not saying he is wrong)

But the most telling thing imo that Smith reported was that D'antoni didn't say a word.

So if team x's pitch to coveted player Y is that he needs to defer to other teammates and the coach doesn't even try to sell him...that doesn't sound like it's a very good pitch.

Maybe it was spin, but all the reports that the Lakers felt better, if true, would indicate massive incompetence with the situation. Though when asked, obviously the Lakers probably wouldn't of said anything different.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

SportsCenter ‏@SportsCenter 55s

ESPN sources say Dwight Howard is leaving L.A. because of D’Antoni’s system, Nash’s age and not wanting to be Kobe’s sidekick for 3-4 years.

 

[JCSunsfan]

A Lakers source who was in the team's pitch meeting last Tuesday said they felt Howard had essentially "made up his mind" before even meeting with Lakers and described him as "emotionless."


"He would barely look us in the eye," the source said.


From the ESPN article.

They are reporting that, as part of his sales pitch to Dwight, Kobe looked across the table and said, "I can teach you how to be a champion."

Lol. Yeah, Kobe, THAT is going to work.

 

[JCSunsfan]

BTW. I have a hunch Wes Person will end up in LA. He is the type of player DAntoni would love.

 

[D-Dogg]

Finally. Dumb call dwight..should have gone to GS but as long as we aren't signing and trading for houstons garbage I'm good. Was supremely disappointed in d12 and am glad we'll have $55 mil in cap space in 2014.

 

[SO91]

On ESPN (TV), Steven A. Smith was talking about how in the Lakers meeting, it was mostly Kobe talking. Kobe and Nash. (and other reports were that Kobe was talking about how he was going to teach Dwight and that he just needed to take the time to learn the system and all that....not exactly a great pitch...though I'm not saying he is wrong)

But the most telling thing imo that Smith reported was that D'antoni didn't say a word.

So if team x's pitch to coveted player Y is that he needs to defer to other teammates and the coach doesn't even try to sell him...that doesn't sound like it's a very good pitch.

Maybe it was spin, but all the reports that the Lakers felt better, if true, would indicate massive incompetence with the situation. Though when asked, obviously the Lakers probably wouldn't of said anything different.

That sounds like a half-assed pitch. The type you make so you can say you tried, but not really.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Asik has no interest in being Howard's backup or playing next to him, a source close to the Rockets' center told ESPN.com. It is not yet clear if Asik will demand a trade.


The Rockets may be able to use Asik as part of potential sign-and-trade scenarios. It is possible they also could engage the Los Angeles Lakers in a sign-and-trade for Howard if the Lakers want to avoid losing their star center for nothing in return.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9453164/omer-asi k-houston-rockets-want-play-dwight-howard-source-s ays

 

[BullheadCardFan]

In Non-Dwight related news....

Pelicans re-sign Al-Farouq Aminu to 1 year 3.7M deal.

Pelicans interested in Omer Asik. As are the Mavs.

Rockets trade Royce White, rights to an international prospect and cash to Sixers for future draft considerations.

Nuggets in pursuit of Monta Ellis

 

[KloD]

Man, that 2015 Lakers 1st round pick just keeps looking better and better!

Now rumors are starting that Houston may trade Asik to N.O. for Ryan Anderson and also a potential sign and trade with Atlanta for Josh Smith.

Perhaps the Suns can swoop in and take T. Jones off Houston's hands? Yes, the Suns have a million PF's. They all suck. Jones could be very good if motivated. Just a thought.

I'm just thrilled it looks like L.A. got the McDyess treatment. We need to see them lose in a deal once in a while. I wish it more often, but this one is great!

 

[Michael]

Man, that 2015 Lakers 1st round pick just keeps looking better and better!

That was my first thought, too. However, we all know the Lakers. In 2014 they'll sign LeBron and/ or some other star players, and the 2015 pick will end up between 27 and 30.

 

[SirStefan32]

Man, that 2015 Lakers 1st round pick just keeps looking better and better!

No, the pick is looking pretty bad. 2014 is when they will have enough money for three superstars.

 

[D-Dogg]

That was my first thought, too. However, we all know the Lakers. In 2014 they'll sign LeBron and/ or some other star players, and the 2015 pick will end up between 27 and 30.

Sitting on $55 million in 2014. 2015 pick won't be worth much.

Now, if we can just tank and lottery the 2014 pick...mmm.

 

[D-Dogg]

I'm just thrilled it looks like L.A. got the McDyess treatment. We need to see them lose in a deal once in a while. I wish it more often, but this one is great!

I wouldn't call this one a loss. Seriously.

More like dodging a bullet.

 

[carey]

Sitting on $55 million in 2014. 2015 pick won't be worth much.

Now, if we can just tank and lottery the 2014 pick...mmm.

LeBron isn't going there. Have you taken a look at who else is available? Deng, Granger, and Bogut along with older guys like Dirk, and the Lakers own Paul Gasol and Kobe Bryant. This isn't the Summer of '10.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

The Indiana Pacers have reached agreement on a two-year, $6.1 million offer sheet with New York Knicks free-agent forward Chris Copeland, league sources told Yahoo! Sports

Mark him off the Lakers list.
Great pickup for the Pacers bench.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Ken Berger: Rockets have moved on to Phase II of their Dwight plan. One option: Sending Omer Asik to New Orleans for Ryan Anderson, league source says. Twitter @KBergCBS

Adrian Wojnarowski: No question Ryan Anderson would intrigue the Rockets, but Pelicans may resist moving him without more than Asik in return, sources tell Y! Twitter @WojYahooNBA

 

[PDXChris]

ESPN is reporting that Howard has changed his mind and backed out with Houston and is now 50/50 with going back to L.A. On ESPN News right now.

You cannot make this up.

 

[Cheesebeef]

LeBron isn't going there. Have you taken a look at who else is available? Deng, Granger, and Bogut along with older guys like Dirk, and the Lakers own Paul Gasol and Kobe Bryant. This isn't the Summer of '10.

yeah, every Laker fan I know keeps pointing to 2014 as some kind of bonanza. It's pretty much LeBron or bust as far as the Lakers being able to completely rebuild in that off-season like everyone thinks they're going to be able to.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Ira Winderman: Why would Dwight meet w/ Lakers? Because sign-and-trade still possible. Heat did it with LeBron and Bosh. Dwight gets more $, Lakers picks. Twitter @IraHeatBeat

 

[Cheesebeef]

ESPN is reporting that Howard has changed his mind and backed out with Houston and is now 50/50 with going back to L.A. On ESPN News right now.

You cannot make this up.

reports in LA are that he's flying back here to meet with Kupchak today.

this is hilarious.