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Magic may let Howard walk

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  • #1

    Magic may let Howard walk

    NJ has said the same thing about Williams. I wish more teams would take this approach now that the cba prevents players from forcing a sign and trade that would let them use their original teams Bird rights. I seriously doubt if Howard or Williams would leave $30 on the table to get to go to the one of the few teams that actually have cap space. Although, I wish it could be us that would land Howard, he'll never put Indiana on his short list of teams.
    I wish the Nuggets had taken this approach with Melo but in the end NY was stupid enough to give away the farm for him and as a team the Nuggets are still better. I guess that's talking out of both sides of my mouth, but I do prefer the new cba rules and the way they take a lot of leverage away from the players. Teams just have to have the backbone to use their new leverage.

    http://www.foxsportsflorida.com/01/2...54&feedID=3558


    ORLANDO, Fla. — Despite the daily chatter about Dwight Howard's trade demand, the Orlando Magic are seriously exploring the option now of calling his bluff, believing he can't walk away from the extra $28-$30 million in guaranteed money they can pay him — and no one else can — in his next contract.
    The Magic have become more brazen in their belief they should roll the dice, allowing Howard to become a free agent this summer, where he can choose to leave — at a very significant reduction in guaranteed money.

    "He can still walk," Magic general manager Otis Smith said Friday afternoon. "But with a $30 million haircut."

    To stay in Orlando, under terms of the new collective bargaining agreement, Howard can sign a five-year deal worth $110 million. To play anywhere else — unless he is traded there first — it will be four years and $80.5 million.

    The safest path for the Magic might be taking the best trade available before the March 15 trade deadline, and get something to show in return, but it makes no sense. Smith is leaning toward the all-or-nothing route, knowing recent NBA history — that no free agent superstar ever has left that much guaranteed money on the table.

    "The Magic letting this thing ride out is a very real possibility now," said one executive from another Eastern Conference team.

    Behind Howard's dominance, the Magic (11-4) smothered the Lakers, 92-80, Friday night. He finished with 21 points and 23 rebounds, failing to impress Coach Stan Van Gundy, who takes it for granted, but overwhelming Bynum, who is expected to be the starting center for the Western Conference All-Stars next month.
    "We're so used to this," Van Gundy said. "It's what he's been doing all along. He's like my security blanket. I just feel good when he's out there."
    It was the third time in the last five games that Howard has finished with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. Bynum, meanwhile, had 10 points and 12 rebounds, a decent night that only accentuated how much more athletic and durable and consistent Howard is.

    Bynum is having the best season of his NBA career, and he isn't even close.

    "This was one game, and I wouldn't put much stock into one game, however it turned out," Van Gundy said. "Look at Dwight's whole body of work. He is a future Hall of Famer. He is the best there is."

    Bynum played only 26 minutes because of foul trouble, which was inevitable trying to guard Howard without enough double-team help. By halftime, when the game was won, Howard had 10 points and 15 rebounds. Bynum had one point and three rebounds.

    The Lakers never got closer than eight points in the second half, struggling to shoot and sluggish on their feet. Throughout much of the game, Howard was outrunning, out jumping and out muscling Bynum. He isn't just the best center in basketball. He is the most durable, missing only seven games combined in seven seasons. Bynum has played more than 65 of the 82 games only once in his previous six seasons.
    Howard was hitting running hooks with his right hand, and hooks with his left, making O'Neal's claims look silly. O'Neal, who retired after last season, played for both the Magic and the Lakers, never missing a chance a chance to tweak Howard, who stole his Superman nickname earlier than O'Neal wanted to give it up.
    "I'd suggest he (Shaq) just sit down and get on with his life," Howard said Friday. "He doesn't play anymore. What's the point of talking trash. It's not like we're wrestlers and can battle it out."

    Howard deflected any talk of the matchup with Bynum both before and after the game. The trade chatter, he declined to discuss, showing no signs of discontent where he is. His agent has the Magic's permission to talk with the three teams he suggested, but his agent has not delivered anything close to a trade the Magic like. That's because there isn't one out there.

    "We'll cross that bridge when the time comes," Howard said. "My job now is to help this team win."
    Why do teams tank? Ask a Spurs fan.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Magic may let Howard walk

    I like this. I still wish they would have added some more compensations into the CBA if you lose a star. Something like more lottery balls (which I think should be tradable, and depreciates a little every year) for the next time they're in the lottery; or maybe some kind of exception, or a 3rd round draft pick (or something, the NFL I believe has some kind of pick compensation for teams). Whew, that got a little off topic.
    Last edited by Richard_Skull; 01-22-2012, 02:00 AM. Reason: Grammatical errors.
    PG24: "Don't tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon!"

    RT @Hoya2aPacer "When I play this game I love. I play to make my teammates better. But I'm a mouther****er on defense."

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    • #3
      Re: Magic may let Howard walk

      So he would either sign with the Pacers or ,more likely, teams will want to shed cap space. Win-win

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      • #4
        Re: Magic may let Howard walk

        Originally posted by Richard_Skull View Post
        I like this. I still wish they would have added some more compensations into the CBA if you lose a star. Something like more lottery balls (which I think should be tradable, and depreciates a little every year) for the next time they're in the lottery; or maybe some kind of exception, or a 3rd round draft pick (or something, the NFL I believe has some kind of pick compensation for teams). Whew, that got a little off topic.
        The Magic actually have infinite 3rd round draft picks.

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        • #5
          Re: Magic may let Howard walk

          The NBA needs a franchise tag imo.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Magic may let Howard walk

            Originally posted by CooperManning View Post
            The Magic actually have infinite 3rd round draft picks.
            Flagrant foul. You gave his friendly, self-deprecating ending a sarcastic punch.


            "Look, it's up to me to put a team around ... Lance right now." —Kevin Pritchard press conference

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            • #7
              Re: Magic may let Howard walk

              It's still a pretty big gamble. Sure it's one more year. But staying with Orlando, he's making an average of 22M per year. With another team, it's an average of 20M+ per year.

              Not a lot of difference annually, especially if Howard believes he will eventually play that 5th year somewhere, and get another 20M for it. In that case, it would be more like an 8M difference, not 30M. However, it is NOT guaranteed up front.

              But if Howard is willing to accept the risk that he can eventually earn a similar amount 5 years from now as he will be getting next year, then the bluff may backfire on the Magic.

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              • #8
                Re: Magic may let Howard walk

                So I guess Dwight and Deron will join Dirk in Dallas then. They'll call them the "Big D."

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                • #9
                  Re: Magic may let Howard walk

                  I personally hope they let him walk, These guys talk about leaving then force a trade. Lets see them leave almost 30M on the table to go somewhere else.

                  Even LBJ & Bosh got there way in the end with a sign and trade. I say F that let them walk away from the money.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Magic may let Howard walk

                    Originally posted by beast23 View Post
                    It's still a pretty big gamble. Sure it's one more year. But staying with Orlando, he's making an average of 22M per year. With another team, it's an average of 20M+ per year.

                    Not a lot of difference annually, especially if Howard believes he will eventually play that 5th year somewhere, and get another 20M for it. In that case, it would be more like an 8M difference, not 30M. However, it is NOT guaranteed up front.

                    But if Howard is willing to accept the risk that he can eventually earn a similar amount 5 years from now as he will be getting next year, then the bluff may backfire on the Magic.
                    That 5th. year is the biggest risk of all. A player is 4 years older and anything can happen in that time. Since the 5th. year is guaranteed Howard or Williams would indeed be taking a $30 mil haircut. There is a reason that no player has ever left that kind of money on the table. Every all star that's moved on in the past has done so with a forced S&T that kept the higher Bird right raises and additional year. Lebron, Bosh, Amare, and I think every single max all star player has done this. The new rules really do change the game. As soon as the first team has the backbone to test it, we'll see if it works.
                    Why do teams tank? Ask a Spurs fan.

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                    • #11
                      Re: Magic may let Howard walk

                      Man, I'd love it if that would work. Here's hoping he stays in Orlando... it would definitely shake up the power dynamic if some new precedent was established.
                      This space for rent.

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                      • #12
                        Re: Magic may let Howard walk

                        Actually a 3rd rd pick would be interesting, create this new 3rd round for teams that lose stars to free agency, probably would not really have much value, but you would get your selection of guys instead of hoping they come to your team as a free agent, lol

                        I like Dwight in Orlando, seems like he belongs there, sucks that will not happen.
                        Why so SERIOUS

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                        • #13
                          Re: Magic may let Howard walk

                          I say put if a team loses a max guy they should get a 1st added to the end of the lottery

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                          • #14
                            Re: Magic may let Howard walk

                            Originally posted by esabyrn333 View Post
                            I say put if a team loses a max guy they should get a 1st added to the end of the lottery
                            This would be a very wise move.

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Re: Magic may let Howard walk

                              Originally posted by esabyrn333 View Post
                              I say put if a team loses a max guy they should get a 1st added to the end of the lottery
                              So you penalize all the non lottery teams because one team can't put together a team the "superstar" wants to stay on?

                              I don't believe this a good solution.
                              "Just look at the flowers ........ BANG" - Carol "The Walking Dead"

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