*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (3 Viewers)

[Daywalker]

From Millman's ESPN blog, he doesn't say where he lifted them from:

Odds to win 2012 NBA titleTeam OddsHeat 2-1Bulls 6-1Mavericks 7-1Thunder 7-1Lakers 7-1Celtics 10-1Spurs 20-1Magic 20-1Knicks 20-1Blazers 25-1Nuggets 30-1Grizzlies 30-1Hornets 40-1Hawks 50-1Clippers 50-176ers 60-1Nets 60-1Warriors 75-1Rockets 100-1Bucks 100-1Pacers 100-1Jazz 100-1Suns 100-1Kings 100-1Bobcats 100-1Wizards 100-1Cavaliers 100-1Pistons 200-1Raptors 200-1Wolves 200-1

Seems weird to me to have a 2-1 team and then a 6-1 team from the same conference, especially since there's still a smattering of Eastern teams in the 10-1 to 20-1 range. Thinking the value, if there is any, is in the West. Nuggets maybe? Grizzlies? Thunder as the primary beneficiaries if the condensed schedule takes a toll on the older teams (Lakers and Mavs)?

D. Howard at 20-1 is enticing.

 

[Premier]

From Millman's ESPN blog, he doesn't say where he lifted them from:

Odds to win 2012 NBA titleTeam OddsHeat 2-1Bulls 6-1Mavericks 7-1Thunder 7-1Lakers 7-1Celtics 10-1Spurs 20-1Magic 20-1Knicks 20-1Blazers 25-1Nuggets 30-1Grizzlies 30-1Hornets 40-1Hawks 50-1Clippers 50-176ers 60-1Nets 60-1Warriors 75-1Rockets 100-1Bucks 100-1Pacers 100-1Jazz 100-1Suns 100-1Kings 100-1Bobcats 100-1Wizards 100-1Cavaliers 100-1Pistons 200-1Raptors 200-1Wolves 200-1

Seems weird to me to have a 2-1 team and then a 6-1 team from the same conference, especially since there's still a smattering of Eastern teams in the 10-1 to 20-1 range. Thinking the value, if there is any, is in the West. Nuggets maybe? Grizzlies? Thunder as the primary beneficiaries if the condensed schedule takes a toll on the older teams (Lakers and Mavs)?

D. Howard at 20-1 is enticing.

I think the Magic are going to go balls out to either win a title in his last year, or convince him to stay.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

From Millman's ESPN blog, he doesn't say where he lifted them from:

Odds to win 2012 NBA titleRaptors 200-1

So you're saying there's a chance?

 

[Voltaire]

Condensed FA-frenzy window, shortened season and more games per week. Can't wait.Stopping a season midway through like MLB is cause for a major backlash. Starting the NBA season six weeks late is nothing.

I think the biggest con for the NBA so far is that everybody has collectively realized that it should start on Christmas day anyway.

 

[Gr00vus]

Condensed FA-frenzy window, shortened season and more games per week. Can't wait.Stopping a season midway through like MLB is cause for a major backlash. Starting the NBA season six weeks late is nothing.

I think the biggest con for the NBA so far is that everybody has collectively realized that it should start on Christmas day anyway.

I like watching the Lakers play regardless of what month it is. Early season basketball is better than no basketball.

 

[Eephus]

Wilson Chandler, J.R. Smith, Kenyon Martin and Aaron Brooks look like they're stuck in China until March

 

[Kev4029]

Wilson Chandler, J.R. Smith, Kenyon Martin and Aaron Brooks look like they're stuck in China until March

Until they all get deported for being selfish ########s.... Minus Chandler, he seems strange and socially unaware, but nice.

 

[Short Corner]

Wilson Chandler, J.R. Smith, Kenyon Martin and Aaron Brooks look like they're stuck in China until March

Until they all get deported for being selfish ########s.... Minus Chandler, he seems strange and socially unaware, but nice.

Even if they get deported they can't sign with NBA teams until the end of March unless their FIBA teams release them.

 

[wazoo11]

Rondo being shopped around?

 

[No. 16]

Rondo being shopped around?

Really?

 

[wazoo11]

Rondo being shopped around?

Really?

http://audio.weei.com/a/49093159/rondo-is-potentially-on-the-trading-block-mikey-doesn-t-like-it.htm

 

[boubucarow]

Rondo being shopped around?

Really?

It isn't the first time, right?

 

[the moops]

Rondo being shopped around?

Really?

It isn't the first time, right?

Delusional Celtic fans think he is going to swapped for Chris Paul.Latest rumor is Indiana is involved in a three way, with Paul ending up in Boston, Rondo in Indy, and who the hell knows what in New Orleans (Collison, Hansborough, +??)

 

[Workhorse]

Rondo being shopped around?

Really?

It isn't the first time, right?

Delusional Celtic fans think he is going to swapped for Chris Paul.Latest rumor is Indiana is involved in a three way, with Paul ending up in Boston, Rondo in Indy, and who the hell knows what in New Orleans (Collison, Hansborough, +??)

It may not be that delusional. New Orleans needs to avoid being LeBron'd when CP3 bolts to NY next year. They have to get some return on him before the season starts.

 

[Bobcat10]

Howard and Turkey for Lopez and two 1sts? --rumors--

 

[TobiasFunke]

Rondo being shopped around?

Really?

It isn't the first time, right?

Delusional Celtic fans think he is going to swapped for Chris Paul.Latest rumor is Indiana is involved in a three way, with Paul ending up in Boston, Rondo in Indy, and who the hell knows what in New Orleans (Collison, Hansborough, +??)

Following this on twitter last night was pretty funny. One media guy I follow asked what else the Celtics would have to package with Rondo to get Paul. It's hilarious what happens when you poke the two of the most intense and delusional fanbases in basketball (Celtics and UK) with a stick. Apparently there are really basketball fans who think Rondo is as good as Paul.

 

[the moops]

How many wins would NO have last year with a starting lineup of Rondo, Belinelli, Ariza, West, Okafor?

30?

 

[Workhorse]

Rondo being shopped around?

Really?

It isn't the first time, right?

Delusional Celtic fans think he is going to swapped for Chris Paul.Latest rumor is Indiana is involved in a three way, with Paul ending up in Boston, Rondo in Indy, and who the hell knows what in New Orleans (Collison, Hansborough, +??)

Following this on twitter last night was pretty funny. One media guy I follow asked what else the Celtics would have to package with Rondo to get Paul. It's hilarious what happens when you poke the two of the most intense and delusional fanbases in basketball (Celtics and UK) with a stick. Apparently there are really basketball fans who think Rondo is as good as Paul.

Anyone who thinks that is a fool to be sure, but that's not the driving factor here. New Orleans is owned by the league and is desperate to sell the team to loca ownership. If they don't get anything for Paul before Christmas, the sale price on the Hornets goes through the floor. The Hornets have very little leverage here unless another team steps up with a better offer than either Rondo+ or whatever 3 team deal Ainge is cooking up.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Rondo being shopped around?

Really?

It isn't the first time, right?

Delusional Celtic fans think he is going to swapped for Chris Paul.Latest rumor is Indiana is involved in a three way, with Paul ending up in Boston, Rondo in Indy, and who the hell knows what in New Orleans (Collison, Hansborough, +??)

Following this on twitter last night was pretty funny. One media guy I follow asked what else the Celtics would have to package with Rondo to get Paul. It's hilarious what happens when you poke the two of the most intense and delusional fanbases in basketball (Celtics and UK) with a stick. Apparently there are really basketball fans who think Rondo is as good as Paul.

Anyone who thinks that is a fool to be sure, but that's not the driving factor here. New Orleans is owned by the league and is desperate to sell the team to loca ownership. If they don't get anything for Paul before Christmas, the sale price on the Hornets goes through the floor. The Hornets have very little leverage here unless another team steps up with a better offer than either Rondo+ or whatever 3 team deal Ainge is cooking up.

Sure, but that's not what was behind the responses on Twitter. People weren't talking leverage, they were talking Rondo's greatness.

 

[Sammy3469]

Rondo being shopped around?

Really?

It isn't the first time, right?

Delusional Celtic fans think he is going to swapped for Chris Paul.Latest rumor is Indiana is involved in a three way, with Paul ending up in Boston, Rondo in Indy, and who the hell knows what in New Orleans (Collison, Hansborough, +??)

Following this on twitter last night was pretty funny. One media guy I follow asked what else the Celtics would have to package with Rondo to get Paul. It's hilarious what happens when you poke the two of the most intense and delusional fanbases in basketball (Celtics and UK) with a stick. Apparently there are really basketball fans who think Rondo is as good as Paul.

The Howard for Lopez and 2 first rumors also crack me up. No way they deal Howard...none.

 

[No. 16]

Great article on the comparison between the new and old labor deals:

CBA guru, Larry Coon comapres the deals

very intrigued by the ability to pocket the Amnesty Clause for later use. Definitely fair for those teams who have managed their cap, but I still imagine most would use it within the next 2 seasons.

Amnesty provision

• 2005 CBA: One player can be waived prior to the start of the 2005-06 season. The salary of the waived player will not count toward the luxury tax.

• 2011 CBA: One player can be waived prior to the start of any season (only one player can be amnestied during the agreement, and contracts signed under the new CBA are not eligible). The salary of the waived player will not count toward the salary cap or luxury tax. Teams with cap room can submit competing offers to acquire an amnestied player (at a reduced rate) before he hits free agency and can sign with any team.

• Who benefits? As with the amnesty provision in the 2005 agreement, this provision allows teams to kick one bad contract to the curb. The benefits to amnesty are greater now than they were in 2005 -- 100 percent of the player's salary is removed for both cap and tax purposes. The other big change is that teams are allowed to pocket their amnesty card to use later -- so teams that managed their cap well to this point benefit because they don't have to use it or lose it.

Teams with cap room can benefit greatly from the amnesty provision by being able to submit a competing offer to claim an amnestied player at a reduced rate. For example, if Cleveland uses its amnesty provision on Baron Davis, a team that is $5 million below the salary cap can submit a $5 million offer to acquire Davis' contract. If that offer is the highest, the team acquires Davis and is responsible for $5 million of his salary -- with Cleveland responsible for the balance. This happens before Davis becomes a free agent and can sign on his own with a team like Miami.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Paul for Rondo and a couple picks isn't that bad of a deal.

1) Rondo is locked up for another 4 years at a pretty good number

2) Paul's knee are going to be a huge concern over the next few years

By no means is Rondo better than Paul but he comes with far less risk, is controlled till 14/15 and is probably still a top 5-7 PG in the league.

 

[Workhorse]

Rondo being shopped around?

Really?

It isn't the first time, right?

Delusional Celtic fans think he is going to swapped for Chris Paul.Latest rumor is Indiana is involved in a three way, with Paul ending up in Boston, Rondo in Indy, and who the hell knows what in New Orleans (Collison, Hansborough, +??)

Following this on twitter last night was pretty funny. One media guy I follow asked what else the Celtics would have to package with Rondo to get Paul. It's hilarious what happens when you poke the two of the most intense and delusional fanbases in basketball (Celtics and UK) with a stick. Apparently there are really basketball fans who think Rondo is as good as Paul.

Anyone who thinks that is a fool to be sure, but that's not the driving factor here. New Orleans is owned by the league and is desperate to sell the team to loca ownership. If they don't get anything for Paul before Christmas, the sale price on the Hornets goes through the floor. The Hornets have very little leverage here unless another team steps up with a better offer than either Rondo+ or whatever 3 team deal Ainge is cooking up.

Sure, but that's not what was behind the responses on Twitter. People weren't talking leverage, they were talking Rondo's greatness.

I like talking about Rondo's flawed goodness but greatness is a big stretch. If I'm Danny Ainge, I'd offer up something like Rondo, Green and the Clippers (top 10) protected 2012 first rounder. New Orleans would have to think very seriously about that.

 

[Premier]

Rondo being shopped around?

Really?

It isn't the first time, right?

Delusional Celtic fans think he is going to swapped for Chris Paul.Latest rumor is Indiana is involved in a three way, with Paul ending up in Boston, Rondo in Indy, and who the hell knows what in New Orleans (Collison, Hansborough, +??)

Following this on twitter last night was pretty funny. One media guy I follow asked what else the Celtics would have to package with Rondo to get Paul. It's hilarious what happens when you poke the two of the most intense and delusional fanbases in basketball (Celtics and UK) with a stick. Apparently there are really basketball fans who think Rondo is as good as Paul.

The Howard for Lopez and 2 first rumors also crack me up. No way they deal Howard...none.

Kills me too. Let's trade a top-3 guy in the league for a center who doesn't play defense or rebound. If Dwight walks, there is literally no difference in the 2012 Magic with or without Brook Lopez. And they would be complete idiots (although it is Otis Smith) not to take one more crack at it this year. They were just in the East finals the year before last.

 

[Sammy3469]

Rondo being shopped around?

Really?

It isn't the first time, right?

Delusional Celtic fans think he is going to swapped for Chris Paul.Latest rumor is Indiana is involved in a three way, with Paul ending up in Boston, Rondo in Indy, and who the hell knows what in New Orleans (Collison, Hansborough, +??)

Following this on twitter last night was pretty funny. One media guy I follow asked what else the Celtics would have to package with Rondo to get Paul. It's hilarious what happens when you poke the two of the most intense and delusional fanbases in basketball (Celtics and UK) with a stick. Apparently there are really basketball fans who think Rondo is as good as Paul.

The Howard for Lopez and 2 first rumors also crack me up. No way they deal Howard...none.

Kills me too. Let's trade a top-3 guy in the league for a center who doesn't play defense or rebound. If Dwight walks, there is literally no difference in the 2012 Magic with or without Brook Lopez. And they would be complete idiots (although it is Otis Smith) not to take one more crack at it this year. They were just in the East finals the year before last.

and assuming they amnesty Arenas, they can then use the MLE to sign someone useful.

 

[the moops]

and assuming they amnesty Arenas, they can then use the MLE to sign someone useful.

Still trying to wrap my head around this new CBA.If they amnesty Arenas, I believe that puts them under the cap. If they are under the cap, they wouldnt be able to use the MLE. So, would they have to first sign someone to the MLE, then amnesty Arenas?And do teams that get below the cap by amnestying a player get to participate in the blind bids for other amnestied players?

 

[Abraham]

Rondo isnt as good as Paul, but iirc he has four years at 11 per left on his deal, which is a very team friendly contract for a guy who is arguably one of the top five at his position in the league.

 

[Sammy3469]

and assuming they amnesty Arenas, they can then use the MLE to sign someone useful.

Still trying to wrap my head around this new CBA.If they amnesty Arenas, I believe that puts them under the cap. If they are under the cap, they wouldnt be able to use the MLE. So, would they have to first sign someone to the MLE, then amnesty Arenas?And do teams that get below the cap by amnestying a player get to participate in the blind bids for other amnestied players?

I'm not sure of the mechanics either....but the Heat seem to be able to amnesty Miller then use the space and MLE (maybe I'm misreading that scenario for them though), so I'd assume the Magic could as well.

 

[No. 16]

and assuming they amnesty Arenas, they can then use the MLE to sign someone useful.

Still trying to wrap my head around this new CBA.If they amnesty Arenas, I believe that puts them under the cap. If they are under the cap, they wouldnt be able to use the MLE. So, would they have to first sign someone to the MLE, then amnesty Arenas?And do teams that get below the cap by amnestying a player get to participate in the blind bids for other amnestied players?

Read the article I linked earlier to get a better idea.http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=536205&view=findpost&p=13857838From my understanding is if you are under the cap you can actually use the FULL MLE (unless it puts you over by more than 4 million - so you have to only be 2 million under the cap to use it), but you are OVER the cap you have a smaller MLE ($3 million vs 5 million) to offer.ETA to add:NVM - break downOVER THE CAP- Tax paying - 3 years, 3.5 million MLE- Non-Tax Paying - 4 years, 5 million MLEUNDER THE CAP- Under Cap - 2 years, 2.5 million exception

 

[Abraham]

The rockets at 100 to 1 isn't awful considering teams like the cavs have the same odds.

I like the spurs odds beat though.

 

[Premier]

There was a thread on a Magic blog the other day about the pros and cons of giving Arenas amnesty. I can't believe anybody could think of a con.

 

[TobiasFunke]

There was a thread on a Magic blog the other day about the pros and cons of giving Arenas amnesty. I can't believe anybody could think of a con.

Totally different situation, but Wizards bloggers and beat writers seem to agree that they're not gonna give Lewis amnesty, since they don't anticipate any cap issues this year anyway and obviously they have to pay him the cash regardless. Might as well keep an asset around, even if he's a wildly overpaid asset, if there's nothing else useful you can do with the cap space for 2011-2012. If I understand correctly you can exercise the amnesty option any time during the life of the CBA, so if you don't think you can replace Arenas with a better basketball player on your roster this year, might as well wait until next season to throw him back, right? Am I understanding it correctly?

 

[Cliff Clavin]

There was a thread on a Magic blog the other day about the pros and cons of giving Arenas amnesty. I can't believe anybody could think of a con.

Totally different situation, but Wizards bloggers and beat writers seem to agree that they're not gonna give Lewis amnesty, since they don't anticipate any cap issues this year anyway and obviously they have to pay him the cash regardless. Might as well keep an asset around, even if he's a wildly overpaid asset, if there's nothing else useful you can do with the cap space for 2011-2012. If I understand correctly you can exercise the amnesty option any time during the life of the CBA, so if you don't think you can replace Arenas with a better basketball player on your roster this year, might as well wait until next season to throw him back, right? Am I understanding it correctly?

Yes. And I agree that there really isn't a reason to buy him out this year. What about Blatche? Not that bad of a contract but the guy is a moron. Probably don't want him infecting the young guys.

 

[TobiasFunke]

There was a thread on a Magic blog the other day about the pros and cons of giving Arenas amnesty. I can't believe anybody could think of a con.

Totally different situation, but Wizards bloggers and beat writers seem to agree that they're not gonna give Lewis amnesty, since they don't anticipate any cap issues this year anyway and obviously they have to pay him the cash regardless. Might as well keep an asset around, even if he's a wildly overpaid asset, if there's nothing else useful you can do with the cap space for 2011-2012. If I understand correctly you can exercise the amnesty option any time during the life of the CBA, so if you don't think you can replace Arenas with a better basketball player on your roster this year, might as well wait until next season to throw him back, right? Am I understanding it correctly?

Yes. And I agree that there really isn't a reason to buy him out this year. What about Blatche? Not that bad of a contract but the guy is a moron. Probably don't want him infecting the young guys.

I think they're gonna stand pat this year. Nobody expects anything this year, no risk, might as well roll the dice and maybe Blatche figures it out. If he does and the turn into a .500 team sooner than expected, they can use it on Lewis next year if there's a free agent they like. If not I guess just keep it in their back pocket for future use, or like you said use it to get rid of Blatche both to save the $8 million per in cap space and to get him out of DC if he continues to be Blatche-like this year. They're out from under the Lewis deal after 2012-2013, and it's likely gonna take at least that long for Wall to become what we hope he will become.

 

[Premier]

How often can you use amnesty? Every year? Every 5 years?

 

[the moops]

How often can you use amnesty? Every year? Every 5 years?

Once

 

[tommyGunZ]

Kills me too. Let's trade a top-3 guy in the league for a center who doesn't play defense or rebound. If Dwight walks, there is literally no difference in the 2012 Magic with or without Brook Lopez. And they would be complete idiots (although it is Otis Smith) not to take one more crack at it this year. They were just in the East finals the year before last.

I agree that Lopez for Howard straight up is crazy talk, but the idea that Lopez isn't a useful asset is overstating it as well.

 

[tommyGunZ]

There was a thread on a Magic blog the other day about the pros and cons of giving Arenas amnesty. I can't believe anybody could think of a con.

Totally different situation, but Wizards bloggers and beat writers seem to agree that they're not gonna give Lewis amnesty, since they don't anticipate any cap issues this year anyway and obviously they have to pay him the cash regardless. Might as well keep an asset around, even if he's a wildly overpaid asset, if there's nothing else useful you can do with the cap space for 2011-2012. If I understand correctly you can exercise the amnesty option any time during the life of the CBA, so if you don't think you can replace Arenas with a better basketball player on your roster this year, might as well wait until next season to throw him back, right? Am I understanding it correctly?

Yes. And I agree that there really isn't a reason to buy him out this year. What about Blatche? Not that bad of a contract but the guy is a moron. Probably don't want him infecting the young guys.

I think they're gonna stand pat this year. Nobody expects anything this year, no risk, might as well roll the dice and maybe Blatche figures it out. If he does and the turn into a .500 team sooner than expected, they can use it on Lewis next year if there's a free agent they like. If not I guess just keep it in their back pocket for future use, or like you said use it to get rid of Blatche both to save the $8 million per in cap space and to get him out of DC if he continues to be Blatche-like this year. They're out from under the Lewis deal after 2012-2013, and it's likely gonna take at least that long for Wall to become what we hope he will become.

Any local talk about Wall's offseason work? I love his game - I hope he was putting up a thousand jumpers per day in the offseason.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I think the Warriors could trade Lee and Biedrins for Howard, and then Ellis for Paul and two firsts. Boom championship.

 

[TobiasFunke]

There was a thread on a Magic blog the other day about the pros and cons of giving Arenas amnesty. I can't believe anybody could think of a con.

Totally different situation, but Wizards bloggers and beat writers seem to agree that they're not gonna give Lewis amnesty, since they don't anticipate any cap issues this year anyway and obviously they have to pay him the cash regardless. Might as well keep an asset around, even if he's a wildly overpaid asset, if there's nothing else useful you can do with the cap space for 2011-2012. If I understand correctly you can exercise the amnesty option any time during the life of the CBA, so if you don't think you can replace Arenas with a better basketball player on your roster this year, might as well wait until next season to throw him back, right? Am I understanding it correctly?

Yes. And I agree that there really isn't a reason to buy him out this year. What about Blatche? Not that bad of a contract but the guy is a moron. Probably don't want him infecting the young guys.

I think they're gonna stand pat this year. Nobody expects anything this year, no risk, might as well roll the dice and maybe Blatche figures it out. If he does and the turn into a .500 team sooner than expected, they can use it on Lewis next year if there's a free agent they like. If not I guess just keep it in their back pocket for future use, or like you said use it to get rid of Blatche both to save the $8 million per in cap space and to get him out of DC if he continues to be Blatche-like this year. They're out from under the Lewis deal after 2012-2013, and it's likely gonna take at least that long for Wall to become what we hope he will become.

Any local talk about Wall's offseason work? I love his game - I hope he was putting up a thousand jumpers per day in the offseason.

Haven't heard much- frankly I've been kind of assuming there wouldn't be a season and adjusted my reading habits accordingly. But I literally have not heard a single person question his attitude and work ethic. Everyone loves him from the top down, although I guess the top would probably lie to us if they had concerns. He's played in like 30 exhibition games all over the place during the lockout, so the guy obviously loves the game. There was some incident with him being in a club where there was a shooting but he didn't have anything to do with it.

 

[Bobcat10]

I think the Warriors could trade Lee and Biedrins for Howard, and then Ellis for Paul and two firsts. Boom championship.

You mean Ellis and two firsts for Paul?

 

[Premier]

How often can you use amnesty? Every year? Every 5 years?

Once

Just once period?

 

[Cliff Clavin]

How often can you use amnesty? Every year? Every 5 years?

Once

Just once period?

Yup. One player can be amnestied until the next CBA. The contract had to have been signed prior to the end of the lockout.

 

[Premier]

Kills me too. Let's trade a top-3 guy in the league for a center who doesn't play defense or rebound. If Dwight walks, there is literally no difference in the 2012 Magic with or without Brook Lopez. And they would be complete idiots (although it is Otis Smith) not to take one more crack at it this year. They were just in the East finals the year before last.

I agree that Lopez for Howard straight up is crazy talk, but the idea that Lopez isn't a useful asset is overstating it as well.

Sure he's a useful guy, but he doesn't move the needle for the Magic at all. The only way you trade a guy like Howard is for a guy like Blake Griffin. And that's not going to happen, so you hold him, try to win a title and hope he stays. Now if the team starts 10-30, then your thinking changes; otherwise, go for it this year.

 

[biggamer3]

Kills me too. Let's trade a top-3 guy in the league for a center who doesn't play defense or rebound. If Dwight walks, there is literally no difference in the 2012 Magic with or without Brook Lopez. And they would be complete idiots (although it is Otis Smith) not to take one more crack at it this year. They were just in the East finals the year before last.

I agree that Lopez for Howard straight up is crazy talk, but the idea that Lopez isn't a useful asset is overstating it as well.

Sure he's a useful guy, but he doesn't move the needle for the Magic at all. The only way you trade a guy like Howard is for a guy like Blake Griffin. And that's not going to happen, so you hold him, try to win a title and hope he stays. Now if the team starts 10-30, then your thinking changes; otherwise, go for it this year.

Not smart to think you must get equal value for an expiring contact. Lopez and something else of value is far better then holding Howard for one year and nothing after that setting the franchise back to zero assets really

 

[timschochet]

This is the year Michael Beasley becomes a star. Book it.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Kills me too. Let's trade a top-3 guy in the league for a center who doesn't play defense or rebound. If Dwight walks, there is literally no difference in the 2012 Magic with or without Brook Lopez. And they would be complete idiots (although it is Otis Smith) not to take one more crack at it this year. They were just in the East finals the year before last.

I agree that Lopez for Howard straight up is crazy talk, but the idea that Lopez isn't a useful asset is overstating it as well.

Sure he's a useful guy, but he doesn't move the needle for the Magic at all. The only way you trade a guy like Howard is for a guy like Blake Griffin. And that's not going to happen, so you hold him, try to win a title and hope he stays. Now if the team starts 10-30, then your thinking changes; otherwise, go for it this year.

Not smart to think you must get equal value for an expiring contact. Lopez and something else of value is far better then holding Howard for one year and nothing after that setting the franchise back to zero assets really

Not if it pisses off your entire fan base. You can always sign and trade to get something out of the deal at the end of the season (for the next year or two anyway).

 

[Kiddnets]

Kills me too. Let's trade a top-3 guy in the league for a center who doesn't play defense or rebound. If Dwight walks, there is literally no difference in the 2012 Magic with or without Brook Lopez. And they would be complete idiots (although it is Otis Smith) not to take one more crack at it this year. They were just in the East finals the year before last.

I agree that Lopez for Howard straight up is crazy talk, but the idea that Lopez isn't a useful asset is overstating it as well.

Sure he's a useful guy, but he doesn't move the needle for the Magic at all. The only way you trade a guy like Howard is for a guy like Blake Griffin. And that's not going to happen, so you hold him, try to win a title and hope he stays. Now if the team starts 10-30, then your thinking changes; otherwise, go for it this year.

Obviously Im a Nets fan who wants this to happen (even though it likely wont) but to clarify - The Nets offer is better than you think - its Lopez (who is nowhere near Howard but a very solid young Center), 2 #1 picks in a great draft (including GS pick which should be good) and taking on Hedo's awful deal which I dont think any other team could do. This is a one time offer as once FA starts Nets cant take on Hedo's salary then Magic use the amnesty on Arenas....if you know Howard is going to leave - the Magic clears a ton of cap space to rebuild, a solid young NBA center which dont grow on trees and 2 #1 picks....I dont think thats a bad deal at all. I still dont think they take it but youthink they will do better than that at the deadline?

 

[JMon348]

With the NBA owning the Hornets and all the complaining they were doing about wanting a competitive balance, it's unlikely Paul gets traded in a "salary dump" type move to a top team.

 

[Premier]

Kills me too. Let's trade a top-3 guy in the league for a center who doesn't play defense or rebound. If Dwight walks, there is literally no difference in the 2012 Magic with or without Brook Lopez. And they would be complete idiots (although it is Otis Smith) not to take one more crack at it this year. They were just in the East finals the year before last.

I agree that Lopez for Howard straight up is crazy talk, but the idea that Lopez isn't a useful asset is overstating it as well.

Sure he's a useful guy, but he doesn't move the needle for the Magic at all. The only way you trade a guy like Howard is for a guy like Blake Griffin. And that's not going to happen, so you hold him, try to win a title and hope he stays. Now if the team starts 10-30, then your thinking changes; otherwise, go for it this year.

Not smart to think you must get equal value for an expiring contact. Lopez and something else of value is far better then holding Howard for one year and nothing after that setting the franchise back to zero assets really

No, it's really not. In fact, it's way worse. You are getting value out of Howard. You're getting his 2011 season. It's dumbfounding to me that people don't understand this.