Atlanta Hawks: Angling for Dwight Howard
ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reports the Hawks engaged the Magic in trade talks about center Dwight Howard earlier this month.
The Hawks did put together a deal for Howard back when the Magic had him on the market. My understanding is they did so without a commitment from Howard that he would either exercise his contract opt-in for next season or sign a long-term deal. The proposed deal eventually fell apart on Orlando’s end.
I’m not certain which players the Hawks offered but it’s unlikely Josh Smith was one of them. The Hawks would try to entice Howard to sign with the team long-term for the chance to play at home with his good friend.
That leaves either Al Horford or Joe Johnson as the centerpiece in a proposed trade for Howard. Horford has the most appeal for Orlando because of his talent, age and his popularity among the region’s fans from his days at the University of Florida.
The Magic have told teams that they are no longer actively trying to trade Howard while they try to convince him to re-sign. If they decide again to part with Howard, I think the Hawks are likely to re-engage them in trade talks. If, as Stein reports, the Magic are seeking “multiple established veterans who can keep the team competitive” then the Hawks are well-positioned to make a competitive offer and still maintain a good core of players around Howard.
It would be a risky move for the Hawks since it’s possible Howard they could get Howard as a short-term rental in exchange for an All-Star player on a long-term contract. Howard has identified the Nets, Mavericks and Lakers as his preferred trade destinations.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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227 comments Add your comment
EmirS.
December 28th, 2011
3:01 pm
I would still love to see Noah in a Hawks jersey.
Jump Shooter X
December 28th, 2011
3:03 pm
I don’t know if I’d trade JJ & Al for Dwight. That’s two starting players for one. I’d love to have Dwight but the Hawks would still need perimeter outside scoring if they made a trade like this.
Tremaine
December 28th, 2011
3:04 pm
keepinitreal
December 28th, 2011
3:01 pm
It’s at least encouraging that the Hawks are looking at Dwight. Even if it’s a longshot that we get him, the Hawks being in the discussion to land a legit superstar gives us something we haven’t had in a very long time: hope.
I’d do whatever it takes to get him. You have to have superstars in the NBA or you have no chance. If you have Dwight, you have a chance. You just have to put the right pieces around him.
cosign
darrell starks
December 28th, 2011
3:09 pm
Share your trade
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=d69f6g7
2012 AND 2013 FIRST ROUND PICK
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EmirS.
December 28th, 2011
3:09 pm
http://www.nba.com/hawks/fans/Harry_Childrens_Hospital.html
LOL come on guys! This is funny, I love it!
Slimjr
December 28th, 2011
3:20 pm
JJ and All “set shot” for D12? Do it yesterday..Aye Captain!
I’m sticking to my prediction from 2 weeks ago! Hawks go 18-4 first 22 games!
Go Hawks…
BTW the FAL-CONS are done! Stick a fork in that bird!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2011
3:29 pm
Trade Josh to LA for Bynum.
Tremaine
December 28th, 2011
3:31 pm
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2011
3:29 pm
Trade Josh to LA for Bynum.
That would be nice to.
hawksfancents95
December 28th, 2011
3:35 pm
@mc
thinks for bringing this trade rumor up. I remember reading on espn dwights prefernces and wondering why atl wasnt on the list? i think orlando is not going to retain dwight after a mediocre start and trade him, idk if LAL will be willing to give up pau & bynum but if i were orl id rather have joe & al. idk how willing theyd be to trade in the division but al is young and proven with some potential and joe is going to be the #3 shooting guard in the NBA for the next 3 years.
Dwight Howards do not become available every year and if we want to make a move for perennial contenders in the NBA, not just eastern conference, we need to make moves.
theight
December 28th, 2011
3:42 pm
If they would trad him to the Nets why wouldn’t they trade him to the hawks. This isn’t football where the divisional winner gets an automatic bid to the playoffs.
hawksfancents95
December 28th, 2011
3:44 pm
ooo i found why d12 isnt interested in atl. nbainsider.com says ..”dwight wants no part of atlantas perpetually unsettled ownership situation”.
honest_abe
December 28th, 2011
3:45 pm
Trade Josh to LA for Bynum.
all day.
Mike
December 28th, 2011
3:48 pm
You think that Dr. Buss is going to make that trade? I swear, what is about Bynum that everybody like. He never really play hard and his injury proned as well. I dont see the ASG going to LT Land for him. I will go over a superstar or somebody is going to make a difference. The moment that Bynum hurts himselve, we are screwed.
KZ
December 28th, 2011
3:50 pm
Al Marvin and ZaZa for Dwight and Redick….Wow..
Ra'mon
December 28th, 2011
3:53 pm
Stay away from Bynum. Bynum will never be what he’s projected to be. Even when healthy, Josh has better numbers than Bynum. Bynum leaves LA he will turn into Haywood.
honest_abe
December 28th, 2011
3:53 pm
mike: you seem to forget josh has immaturity issues of his own. you are right about the fact that i doubt la would trade bynum for josh straight up. bynum has more upside. josh can’t shoot, dribble or post up. but he sure as heck can swat a ball out of the air.
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2011
3:58 pm
A starting lineup of Bynum, Al, Marvin, Joe & Teague is far better than some of the proposals I have read here, which is mostly D12, Josh, Adam Morrison, Bonzi Wells (or whatever other stiffs we can find) and Teague. And the Hawks owners wouldn’t have to spend an extra penny to put a team around their new core that includes Bynum.
Harry Hawk
December 28th, 2011
3:58 pm
Hell, I’d trade Josh for Bynum. I’d even throw in Stack.
Mike
December 28th, 2011
3:59 pm
but if he cant stay in good health, then it is for not, we dont have a Pau Gasol-type person that can replace him if he goes down.
When health, he is a force but too many negative and not enough positive and you cant really marketing him or make him the next big thing in Atlanta. You can do that for D12.
Ra'mon
December 28th, 2011
4:03 pm
Please realize the Lakers are like the Yankees. They are never on the bad side of a trade. So if they’re being let go of by the Lakers, then something is wrong. With the exception of Shaq, who has been a high impact player after ever leaving the Lakers? Maybe only Vlade?
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2011
4:05 pm
Ra’mon, Bynum doesn;t get the same FGAs as Josh. Look at what he did with more shots during the playoffs.
http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2748/andrew-bynum
The other thing is that Bynum has a team option next season. If there are health problems, then you cut him loose and have over $20M expiring between him and Hinrich. If he holds up, then you keep him next year. Oh, and did you really talk about players who won’t reach their potential as a way to DEFEND Josh?
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2011
4:07 pm
If Bynum goes down, we replace him with a 2 time All-Star center. #15 in the game program. Doh!
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2011
4:10 pm
Didn’t the Braves get Arodys Vizcaino from the Yankees 2 years ago for a pitcher who had a losing record for them the following year?
Luke Cage
December 28th, 2011
4:12 pm
I would only take D12 if he agreed to a contract extension, if not I WOULD NOT MAKE THAT TRADE FOR DWIGHT HOWARD!!, no sense in blowing up your team for a guy to come for a short season and then leave after it. Remember Top Free Agents don’t have ATL on their radar so HOWARD MUST AGREE TO A CONTRACT FIRST!!
Tremaine
December 28th, 2011
4:13 pm
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2011
4:07 pm
If Bynum goes down, we replace him with a 2 time All-Star center. #15 in the game program. Doh!
NICE! Some fans love living in Mediocrity. Probably popped a bottle of champagne after last night win.
Ray
December 28th, 2011
4:15 pm
As much as I love Dwight to be here in ATL no way I’m getting rid of both Al and Joe for just Dwight and a bag of chips.
I don’t really like either player a whole lot, but even still I know their worth more than that.
Ra'mon
December 28th, 2011
4:18 pm
AJ if a player gives you 18 and 11 50% of the time. And is injured the other part of the time. And another player gives you 16 and 8 85% of the time. How design it compare? Also, Bynum has been in the league for a good while, and was always supposed to have more potential than Josh. If you are trading, I still say trade Al for Gasol, if you can’t get Dwight.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 28th, 2011
4:19 pm
Pictionary!
“Atlanta Hawks: Angling for Dwight Howard
10:00 am December 28, 2011, by Michael Cunningham”
____________
Define “angling”?
hittman jamillion
December 28th, 2011
4:26 pm
,TO VAVA AND ANYONE ELSE WHO DOUBTS WE CAN DO GOOD, I remembered the Lakers after Magic before Kobe,the Celtics after Bird,Pistons after Isiah,Knicks after Ewing,& the Rockets after Hakeem. I’m saying this to say why the hell will Dh go to Dallas or L.A to play with a star whose ten years older than he is? And NJ has no team at all we almost be them by forty IN THEIR HOUSE.
The argument the majority of yall are making for not having him are damn right illogical. First off yall clown Horford saying we need a true center. Then the best center and arguably the games best player is available now you don’t want him,more confused than 3 homo thugs in a room with Chris Bosh and Beyonce. Then you saying the attendance a be bad potna, if Carmello can make white people support Denver Nugget basketball which was terrible in attendance for yearsLebron can pack country Cleveland,and DH can pack Orlando. How the hell u think Dwight can’t get these money blowing,making it rain,heavy partying people in Atlanta to not come.The falcons never won a championship with Vick but we always thought we could win with the best athlete in the league.
News flash people want to enjoy themselves,be entertained,and win. As far as points we would get so many off turnovers alone,the perimeter is sealed even if you beat teague where u gone go with the best two shot blockers in the lane? You double DH Josh or Marvin has a clear shot to the rim,or Turk has a open three or it a clear drive.
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2011
4:28 pm
Ra’mon, the scoring differential is about FGAs… hard to score without shot attempts. Heck, Bynum is the second low post option on that team, not to mention some guy named Kobe who has been known to take a handful of shots every now and then. Bynum’s injuries are the only concern I would have and given his contract could expire next season, I see very little risk.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 28th, 2011
4:30 pm
Stern Rules!
Isn’t there something in the new CBA that requires a max player leaving his team in a SNT must play for the new team 2 seasons? Even, if the max player doesn’t sign an extension?
Point of Reference: CP3 to the Clippers. He can not become an UFA for the next 2 years. Correct me if I’m wrong, because I would gut my team for the next two years to land Dwight w/o an extension.
Perhaps we will have a new owner by then. Or, SNT Dwight to his next team for some new pieces and 1st picks (unprotected). Do something to get a first ballot HOF er in here. Pack the arena, if only for a minute.
i_am_soulstar
December 28th, 2011
4:34 pm
Just not a smart move without an extension. Ownership would be foolish to give up 2 of the 3 captains for a 66 game rental.
PEDRO EL GITANO
December 28th, 2011
4:35 pm
Enter your comments here
Mike
December 28th, 2011
4:37 pm
@drmaryb.[*_*].
That is correct, he had to stay here for 2 years and that is alot of time to see if want to stay or get ready to move on without him.
MattP
December 28th, 2011
4:38 pm
drmaryb.[*_*].,
CP3 had to option in for the next season for the clippers to do the trade, it had nothing to do with the new CBA.
hittman jamillion
December 28th, 2011
4:49 pm
If he dont stay sign and trade his ass for bynum and whoebever anyway
FreshFromATL
December 28th, 2011
4:51 pm
Trading Joe, Josh, Teague and D12 only to have D12 bolt at the end of the year is something I could definitely see this ownership group doing, SMH.
FreshFromATL
December 28th, 2011
4:52 pm
*Correction*
Trading Joe, Josh, and Teague for D12 only to have D12 bolt at the end of the year is something I could definitely see this ownership group doing, SMH.
ILL-Logical
December 28th, 2011
4:53 pm
Good stuff re today’s topic MC,thanks.
One perspective that didn’t get a lot of play during the discussion is the entertainment component of the NBA. While there can only be one champion, fans attend/watch/stream NBA games to be entertained by the chosen few like Kobe,LaBron or Dwight. Even if they don’t win the ring. Further, they buy products associated with these “stars” whose sales benifit the league ,the team and the player. Case in point: Kobe is paid &30 million a year by the Lakers but ,according to Lakers’ brass, he generates $ 50 million a year in revenue.
So the question of w/not Dwight makes the Hawks better -and he does in terms of defense and defense wins championships- should be expanded to include w/not he brings in more revenue? And remember the revenue is taxable, so the city gets a cut as well.
Ra'mon
December 28th, 2011
4:54 pm
AJ, I would trade Al for Bynum, but no Josh.
PEDRO EL GITANO
December 28th, 2011
4:59 pm
Media hora escribiendo y no me publicaron el texto!!!Bueno,me armo de paciencia y voy otra vez:
Profundisma plantilla,deja sin aliento ver a este equipo defender de esa manera que hicieron anoche.Podemos defender al limite porque cualquier eliminacion por faltas sera prefectamente cubierta por alguien igual o mejor capacitado o inspirado que el sustituido.Mencion especial merecieron Radman(esta haciendo el mejos baloncesto de su vida)Y Zaza.
En cuanto a Dwight Howard creo que lo que podemos ofrecer a Orlando no se lo puede ofrecer nadie.Como aqui se ha dicho ya,Joe no es un jugador de elite,traspasarlo seria lo mejor.En este equipo nadie es imprescindible y nuestra fuerza esta en la segunda unidad(55 puntos anoche,un escandalo)asi que pienso que ese traspaso podria darnos un campeonato este mismo año.De todas maneras la actual plantilla es una apuesta de presente.Es nuestro ahora o nunca.Hoy somos un equipo terrorifico,con Howard seguiriamos siendo un equipo terrorifico con una referencia en ataque y en defensa.
Estoy deseando que nos midamos a Miami,ahi se veran nuestras posibilidades reales.Esta va a ser una temporada historica.Washington nuestra proxima victima;de momento pocos hablan de nosotros,pero lo haran cuando vean que ganamos a equipos grandes.Vamos a dejar sin aliento a la nba,pero paso a paso,con paciencia.GO HAWKS!!!!
Ken Strickland
December 28th, 2011
5:00 pm
We’re about 3hrs from our 1st home gm, and 2nd gm of the season. Therefore, all of you DELUSIONAL TRADE FANATICS need to get back to reality, if you can, and deal with the Hawk team that whipped up on New Jersey and is about to play the Wizzards tonight. All of these lineups and trade scenarios that are being congured up in your heads are a waste of time. Some of you have your heads so far in the clouds that you think Dwight’s friendship with Josh is all that’s needed to get him to come here, as if Josh is his only friend in the NBA.
Dwight wants out of Orlando because he doesn’t believe they have enough talent to get him where he wants to go. So what in the devil makes you think he’d want to come to a Hawks team that would end up being less talented than Orlando, after trading away all of the talent and draft picks some of you are suggesting we foolishly give up? While Dwight is definitely the NBAs most dominant Big, he has yet to improve his overall skills enough to make the players around him that much better.
He’s had a good backup center, several good SFs, PFs, PGs, SGs, and a decent bench, yet his team has actually regressed since losing in he NBA finals. As far as our core being together longer than the core of the Celtics, Mavericks and Lakers, and them winning championships, you need to look at the difference in coaching, ownership and stability.
Ra'mon
December 28th, 2011
5:04 pm
Now, as a fan of Josh, I would love for Josh to end up in LA. Because I know, Dwight would be right behind him. But as a Hawks fan, Josh is needed here.
Don't Need Howard After Last Night
December 28th, 2011
5:13 pm
From what I saw, though the first game, this team can make a serious run this year. All of the pieces are there (albeit a true center). The additions in the offseason, including McGrady and the 6′10″ 3-point dude, and the emergence of Teague will make this team hard to handle. McGrady’s leadership will be a huge plus.
This team will play in first ECF since 1988. Mark it down!
hawks_4_life
December 28th, 2011
5:15 pm
Guess you cant fault Sund now for not trying.
hawks_4_life
December 28th, 2011
5:19 pm
Yesterday one thing I noticed during the warmup was how many mid range jumpers Josh was taking. Unfortunately they werent falling for him then so I might be a little worried regarding that about his game.
superiorblogman
December 28th, 2011
5:39 pm
Not interested in pipedreams. Don’t see how this makes us better either.
Teague
?
Marvin
Josh
Dwight
No real outside shooters and everyone would have to up there games. Not sure about that happening.
Jeff
Joe
Marvin
Turk
Howard
That’s actually as decent as what the Magic went to the Finals with.
Not really a fan of this. Would have rather signed Dalembert or trade Kirk,Marvin, or Zaza for a true Center like Dalembert, Kaman, Okafor, Biedrins, Bogut. Not with gutting the team I love for some guy that might come here and take a dump on us all and move on.
northcyde
December 28th, 2011
5:46 pm
The skeptic in me wouldn’t put it past Gearon to leak some false rumor about the Hawks trying to get Dwight Howard, just to take some of the heat off of him and show that he DID go after a top notch player ( even though no one in that Hawks organization said anything about. Even Sund was saying “I like our bigs”, at the time of the Dwight frenzy. So I wouldn’t be surprised if this rumor is straight bull shiddddd.
But like I said when the Dwight trade talk was at its highest . . . if you have to trade ANY 2 of the CORE to bring D. Howard to Atlanta, you do it . . without hesitation . . even if it means risking only having him for one year.
A person in this thread said earlier to let Orlando pick which two of our stars that they want + a draft pick . . . and get the deal done. Doesn’t matter which combination.
Johnson + Smith
Johnson + Howard
Howard + Smith
Doesn’t matter. Do the deal
You do it, because the window of opportunity for this team, with The Core leading it, is about 2 years. You also do it to create maximum buzz about this team in Atlanta, and on a national scale.
Also . . when Smith becomes a free agent in 2 years, anybody and everybody is going to be after that kid, if he’s at the current level he is now or better. He’ll get close to a max contract from a team desperate to have his skillset.
The other thing that will happen in two years, is Jeff Teague becomes a restricted free agent. We could retain Teague, but lose Smith via some team giving him some outrageous contract. But if Teague becomes very good, he’s going to get a big contract as well.
So the Summer of 2013 is definitely the zero hour for “The Core”. If they’re not on the cusp of reaching the NBA Finals by then, SOMEONE has to be dealt, or someone may voluntarily leave.
It’s amazing the people who wouldn’t trade two of our guys for a person who will be a Hall of Fame center. If you wouldn’t trade pieces of the precious “Core” for a guy like this, you’ll never trade them for anybody.
If Dwight stays, you have a bonafide top notch center for the next 5 – 6 years that will keep the Hawks relevant and in contention. If he leaves, you rebuild the team behind Teague + whichever “Core” member is left . . and have a tremendous amount of cap space to do it with.
Buddy Grizzard
December 28th, 2011
5:47 pm
“I don’t know if I’d trade JJ & Al for Dwight.” – Jump Shooter X
Ok here’s the thing. You need a superstar to win a championship. Joe Johnson is not a superstar, but he makes superstar money. If you have the opportunity to trade two non-superstars for one superstar, you do it. That gets you out from under Joe’s contract and frees up money to bring in somebody like Deron Williams who obviously isn’t going to re-sign to play out his career on a lottery team in Brooklyn if they don’t land Dwight.
So Joe and Al for Dwight and Hedo. Then in the offseason you do a sign and trade with NJ sending them Marvin and Kirk for Deron. NJ is also going to want to get something in return for Deron after giving up so much to obtain him.
northcyde
December 28th, 2011
5:50 pm
And LOL @ people going “all in” with the Hawks, based on a blowout win vs Jersey . . and wouldn’t do a deal for Howard.
News flash . . we were SUPPOSED to blow out Jersey, especially when Lopez went down. The shocker would’ve been if the Hawks were battling down to the wire with that Nets team. Had we lost that game, it would be Armageddon here after just Game 1.
Hawks look great last night. Give them props on that. But please . . don’t go overboard.