Atlanta Hawks: What about Dwight?
Almost immediately after Hawks GM Danny Ferry took what were most definitely not half measures the speculation turned to whether it’s all just a prelude to a trade for Dwight Howard.
All of the usual dots have been connected: Howard wants out of Orlando, Howard is from Atlanta, and he’s boys with Josh Smith. But the one blank I have yet to see filled in is a desire by Howard to play for his hometown franchise over the long term.
In fact, the only thing I’ve ever heard is the opposite. Howard used to regularly attend Dream games at Phillips Arena during summers. Witnesses tell me that Howard would tell anyone who would listen that Philips is supposed to be his house but “they don’t know how to act.” And by “they” he of course means the team’s owners and management.
And then there were Howard’s comments during the 2011 playoffs, when he said he hates losing, “especially to the Hawks.” Asked to elaborate, Howard, annoyed by the question, snapped: “Come on. You know the answer to that.”
The answer is that Howard, like his pal Smith, doesn’t view the Hawks as a serious franchise. Or at least he didn’t back then. Obviously Danny Ferry is trying to change the perception of the Hawks, so maybe Howard (and/or Smith) changes his mind.
There’s been no word that’s happened so far, though. Howard still wants a trade to the Nets, who now are in no hurry to move him.
The Magic and Hawks had trade discussions over the past week involving Howard and I’m sure they are ongoing. But I don’t think Ferry is willing to trade Al Horford and the four years remaining on his reasonable contract for one year of Howard and all the associated drama.
The Hawks had serious trade discussions with Orlando for Howard back in December, the early days of the Dwightmare. Atlanta apparently was willing to make the deal without an assurance that Howard would even opt-in for next season. Horford was the main piece in that proposed deal.
But I don’t see the Hawks as being willing to trade for Howard without a long-term commitment now. That’s especially true if Orlando, as reported, is looking to unload one of its bad contracts as part of any deal for Howard.
The Hawks clearly would do that if Howard declares he’ll sign an extension here. Until that happens I doubt Howard will have a homecoming.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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1,008 comments Add your comment
Andy Griffith
July 3rd, 2012
7:59 pm
Jerry West recruited and drafted Bynum who is his favorite. More? Howard is not that much better than Bynum to merit a trade. No, why would you trade for a guy who is only slightly better than what you already have?
More?
The :Lakers have lost interest in Howard who doesnt want to play in LA.
More?
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-dwight-howard-to-the-lakers-not-so-fast-20120703,0,7220021.story
ryan
July 3rd, 2012
7:59 pm
So it now ATL vs LA for D12 .
Slimjr
July 3rd, 2012
8:01 pm
Yea Grandad its been crazy around these parts on this blog..Moving at lightning speed…LOL!
Blakley Ross
July 3rd, 2012
8:05 pm
Grandad for the record, I knew it wasnt true what as posted about you and Sundusky. What ever yall did is between you 2 and nobody has a right to guess what happen or how you did if you did anything.
Im just saying. there is no proof that you did anything wrong.
Peace.
Slimjr
July 3rd, 2012
8:05 pm
Good Stuff Mr. Griffin!
I still believe the ATL is the front runners for D12 services…Danny has got another rim rocker coming soon…
Najeh Davenpoop
July 3rd, 2012
8:07 pm
FTPB
“Would you prefer Bynum or Howard ”
For injury reasons alone, Howard.
ryan
July 3rd, 2012
8:08 pm
The Hawks seem to have the best chance to get Howard with cap space the fact that Orlando wants Horford the Nets would have to get another team or two to make the trade happen for them .
From the ATL not a transplant or from Florida
July 3rd, 2012
8:11 pm
“Howard to the Lakers? Not impossible. Just improbable.”
Ronnie
July 3rd, 2012
8:12 pm
“Harden is a scrub with no game who was exposed in the Finals.”
Step away from the keyboard and put down the blunt.
doc
July 3rd, 2012
8:17 pm
Again i am so hapy sund stuck around as a consultant to help Danny get through all this. Hand holding is nice.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 3rd, 2012
8:19 pm
“Dwight`s not a Bad person:
Immature – not a leader ” for sure “, coupled with repugnant advisors;
poor guy is in a bad situation.”
All that aside, he is still easily one of the top ten players in the league. Talent wins in the NBA. Get him here and then figure out the leadership stuff later.
CP3 would make a pretty damn good leader, just saying.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 3rd, 2012
8:24 pm
“Just understand that if Horford is dealt, both Smith and Howard are free agents at the end of 2013. And if neither commit to signing an extension ( for whatever reason ) that could be the kiss of death for this franchise.”
Not really. It just means they will suck for one year and be in position to draft a superstar. They will be in the same position they found themselves in 2004; only difference is, this time they have to make the right pick and have a GM in place with a better draft record than the one who was here in ‘05.
Ideally, though, they speed up the rebuilding process by bringing in Dwight and CP3.
doc
July 3rd, 2012
8:25 pm
Will any of the core be left here next year?
A Pimp Named Slickback!
July 3rd, 2012
8:25 pm
I say look into Ja Vale McGee & Corey Brewer as supplemental parts
Najeh Davenpoop
July 3rd, 2012
8:26 pm
“the Nets could also trade Teletovic to the Magic, along with Wallace, Brooks, Lopez and fillers, and clear enough room to offer vet minimum contracts to more known guys”
Can’t trade Teletovic (or any other newly signed player for that matter) until three months after he signs.
Melvin
July 3rd, 2012
8:26 pm
The Mavs decided they wanted cap space for this summer instead of keeping their championship team together last summer. Look like they will be left standing as all the chairs have been taking now the music has stop. No Deron and possibly no Howard to sign.They gamble and lost. I wonder if the Mavs regret the decision to breakup that championship team.
Andy Griffith
July 3rd, 2012
8:27 pm
For the record here is the differences between D12 and Bynum on paper:
pts Howard: 20.6; Bynum: 18.7
field-goal percentage Howard: 57.3%; Bynum: 55.8%,
rebounds Howard: 14.5; Bynum: 11.8
player efficiency Howard: 26.4; Bynum: 24.2
Thats not enough of a reason to trade your player. They are almost a wash and cancel each other out.
You talk about D12 behavior. Alot of that was done to force management to make a trade. Who has time for games? Dwight wants a ring.
But if Dwight is a head case, well so is Bynum Consider:
“He seriously undermined his breakout season by having a poisonous attitude. Bynum took an ill-advised three-pointer in one game, then proclaimed he’d keep shooting more. Bynum routinely stood out of team huddles, insisting he wanted to get “my Zen on.” The Lakers fined Bynum for various transgressions, including missing a meeting with Kupchak. He annoyed teammates and personnel alike by playing loud music in the locker room before games. And the worst of all, Bynum admitted in all the Lakers’ loss to Denver in the postseason that he lacked the necessary effort. It’s possible Bynum could eventually grow into that. But he’s already a seven-year veteran. With the Lakers’ championship window closing, they can’t afford to go through another season where Bynum’s “figuring things out.”
So why would Orlando trade 1 head case for another? Or the Lakers? The facts are D12 fits best in the ATL where hed be at home.
The tough part is to get a coach that can be smart enough to draw the x/o’s but man enough to work with two great stars and not try to “handle” them.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-la-should-the-lakers-trade-andrew-bynum-for-dwight-howard-poll-20120702,0,2842601.story
MajikMan
July 3rd, 2012
8:30 pm
Cry me a river Hawks fans, Dwight is going to Crooklyn. We don’t want Al Horford, we already saw him fail in the playoffs against us year before last. 6′7″ Brandon Bass shut him down, but you nitwits think that Hennigan is stupid enough to take Horford and Teague, and a pick, when the Nets offer Lopez, Brooks, Humphries and 2 first rounders?
LMFAO. Nitwits.
Andy Griffith
July 3rd, 2012
8:31 pm
“Would you prefer Bynum or Howard ”
For injury reasons alone, Howard….?
Didnt Howard Just have Back surgery with a bulging disk?
From the ATL not a transplant or from Florida
July 3rd, 2012
8:33 pm
MajikMan – Huge Co-sign and yea, that is some funny S hit
A Pimp Named Slickback!
July 3rd, 2012
8:36 pm
Didn’t Al participate on the team that beat the magic the following year??
A Pimp Named Slickback!
July 3rd, 2012
8:37 pm
Also didn’t the great dwight got befuddled by the “Almighty Twin” LOL, infact Dwight kept Twin in the NBA LOL!!
Reality Check
July 3rd, 2012
8:38 pm
“It’s possible Bynum could eventually grow into that. But he’s already a seven-year veteran. With the Lakers’ championship window closing, they can’t afford to go through another season where Bynum’s “figuring things out.”
LOL, don’t the Hawks have their own head case who, after 7 (or is it 8?) years in the league is still “figuring things out”. But that’s fine when it’s Josh, but not so fine when it’s somebody who threatens your wet dream. SMGDH.
Melvin
July 3rd, 2012
8:42 pm
MajikMan,
The Nets deal is on the table, why haven’t the Magic accepted it? Maybe b/c your GM thinks that deal sucks b/c Lopez and rest are scrubs.
Reality Check
July 3rd, 2012
8:43 pm
And that sick self destructing Al whining ass Hoford always crying about playing Josh’s position and arguing in the locker room. Then brings in his pappy to beg. Man, Al sure aint a team player. Too Selfish, not team oriented.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 3rd, 2012
8:43 pm
When y’all post about rumors you have seen somewhere, can you please link to it so that I don’t have to go on Google News or Twitter to try to find it myself? It would also make it a lot easier to sift through the unsubstantiated crap.
From the ATL not a transplant or from Florida
July 3rd, 2012
8:45 pm
Majik this is what Im co-signing:
We don’t want Al Horford, we already saw him fail in the playoffs against us year before last. 6′7″ Brandon Bass shut him down, but you nitwits think that Hennigan is stupid enough to take Horford and Teague, and a pick, when the Nets offer Lopez, Brooks, Humphries and 2 first rounders?
But for the record D12 aint going to Brooklyn . That door is closed.
Just Joe
July 3rd, 2012
8:46 pm
MajikMan…I understand completely, after all Humphries has averaged 1 pt and 2 rebs in his playoff career, and Lopez, well, he’s never played a single playoff game. Of course both guys are worthy of new, multi-yr high $ contracts. And those draft picks. The only way they can give you one next year is if they go out and trade or buy one, and then you can wait until 2015 for the next (both will probably be in the late 20’s though so that should help). Good luck with your team.
ryan
July 3rd, 2012
8:47 pm
MajikMan also has never heard of cap which the Nets are over since they were stupid enough take JJ contract .
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 3rd, 2012
8:49 pm
Ding!
“NBA Draft: Mitch Kupchak: ‘We’ll try to hit a home run’”
____________
thatz what a GM on a championship quest – says. Eff next year!
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
8:49 pm
Melvin, as I was saying earlier…
Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA
Dallas is considering this too: Take a step back, clear cap space for the summer of 2013 and chase free agents Dwight Howard and Chris Paul.
EmirS.
July 3rd, 2012
8:50 pm
@MajikMan
You can build around Horford alot better then around anyone the Nets are sending to Orlando. It would make no sense for the Magic to deal with the Nets. If I’m rebuilding and my options are limited…who do I take as my center piece to build around? Lopez or Horford? Magic will also be looking to dump salary as well….Nets cant take on anymore. And those two first rounders will be somewhere in the 20s.
The Magic want to rebuild. Their BEST possible choice would be to acquire Bynum. Which, tbh, is what I see them doing. I don’t see Howard signing long term with them though. But realistically speaking…I really don’t think the Magic care where Howard goes. As long as they can get someone to build around AND initiate a salary dump. I don;t see them doing anything with the Nets. Forget the rumors. You will either see Howard with the Lakers or with us. And I’m praying it’s the Lakers.
It only gives us a better chance to take a run at him next year.
But Howard isn’t going to Brooklyn. Also don’t be surprised if someone comes out with a stellar trade package just to rent Howard for a year.
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
8:51 pm
Dr. Mary, sign my name across your heart, girlfriend. I ain’t got nothin’ but love for you baby.
But I don’t want Dwight… he’s showing too many signs of instability in the last 6-9 months.
brigadierjerry
July 3rd, 2012
8:52 pm
BIG DOG,
Since Brooklyn Nets have hard capped themselves with signing a plauer to the MLE. . They CANT go over 74 million. No ifs ands or buts!
Deron 20 million
Johnson 20 million
Wallace 8.5 million
MLE guy 5 million
Reggie Evans 1.7 million
Dwight Howard 18 million?????
That is 74 million right there. In the best case, half their roster would be rookie vet minimums.
Only the taxpayer’s MLE ($3 million) so they can exceed the apron of $74 million if they don’t use the BAE. And that’s probably their strategy. They want to keep their option open but that is the best case scenario to get Howard
Just Joe
July 3rd, 2012
8:55 pm
Has Bynum ever said he would sign an extension in Orlando? If you’re Orlando wouldn’t that be important? Bynum has always played for the Lakers, is he supposed to just sign long term with a rebuilding team like the Magic? Why wouldn’t he want to go to Dallas next summer?
EmirS.
July 3rd, 2012
8:57 pm
^ Your starters alone can’t win a ring.
O'Brien
July 3rd, 2012
8:57 pm
Najeh,
Not really. It just means they will suck for one year and be in position to draft a superstar..
If Hawks trade for Dwight, they will have to give up Horford, Teague AND 2 first round picks (imo). And when we do get a draft pick, not every draft has a superstar.
With the Nets probably out of the running for Dwight, Orlando is in a position of weakness. If I’m the Hawks, I would try and get Dwight to sign an extension before trading for him. And we can sell him on having even more cap space next summer to go after another player (like CP3, or Harden).
Reality Check
July 3rd, 2012
8:58 pm
who do I take as my center piece to build around? Lopez or Horford?
easy one. Lopez!
EmirS.
July 3rd, 2012
8:58 pm
@Just Joe
No never thought about that…..
Point taken.
EmirS.
July 3rd, 2012
8:59 pm
@Reality Check
you can’t be serious….
I’m done…just wow.
doc
July 3rd, 2012
9:00 pm
cuban with two huge blunders, not signing steve nash and not keeping chandler. both are pure pros and gamers.
dmb, it isnt a boys league and i am not sure d12 knows that yet. i think josh understands it more than dwight does. finally lbj knows as he had to learn a little grit and grind. in golf you admire the grinders who stay with it even when there game isnt all there. really tiger was among the best of them though he can sure turn it to where he has never hit a bad shot, like last week when he fluffed a sand shot and said his 60 degree wasnt made for that. what is a 60 degree for but sand and if it is too fluffy then choose the right club a 56 degree sand wedge? funny, but he never said it was him missing a shot. since it isnt a team game golfers have to do that bballers cant do it as much because it sounds like blaming others which d12 has done.
i digress only to say that folks can avoid the truth but to win you got to grind hard and a lot of these guys coming up never have to do it. i want men on my team or boys quickly growing into it like durant and rose. love those two guys in every way as ballers. i think jbl may have gotten it as well by his focus and his showing a little more love in his game this year as he put it.
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
9:00 pm
Houston withdrew their QO to Courtney Lee, making him a UFA. I wonder why Houston felt the need to create a little more cap space by renouncing Lee. Things that make you go “what you talkin’ ’bout Willis?”
Melvin
July 3rd, 2012
9:02 pm
Astro,
I still say the team with cap space is at a disadvantage b/c of the bird rights. That extra year and cash is hard for most players to pass up….
MajikMan
July 3rd, 2012
9:02 pm
Melvin, he’s holding out to hear what else the Lakers will offer. But believe me when I tell you that your offer is laughable compared even to the Nets. Humphries and Brooks are at least usable parts, and I’d rather have that duo than Horford and Teague. If Hennigan takes the Nets deal, look for him to turn Lopez by the trading deadline.
Andy Griffith
July 3rd, 2012
9:03 pm
Just Joe
Then word is Bynum would want a new contract with some length to it. But it still may not make since for Orlando because Bynum is as much a head case as D12, so what makes Orlando think things will be different? Bynum is going to want to win another championship and if Orlando doesnt put the right players in place that will spell trouble.
I got a real good hunch. the Bynum for D12 trade aint happening….
doc
July 3rd, 2012
9:05 pm
emir s liked your point earlier this week along the lines of Danny weakening the nets because the trade wouldnt allow them to move to get d12 afterall and make tougher for the magic to keep him in the east thereby making his team stronger overall. sometimes in war you do things as much to weaken the other guy as to strengthen yourself, right out of the art of war.
Andy Griffith
July 3rd, 2012
9:06 pm
In fact Orlando’s best trade may be the one they tried to make last year and get Al Horford back home. Hes a lot easier to manage than the super star and super talented players.
bigdave
July 3rd, 2012
9:09 pm
Gasol?
we just got out of one bad contract…
Andy Griffith
July 3rd, 2012
9:11 pm
Nice Doc!
doc
July 3rd, 2012
9:05 pm
GA.BOY72
July 3rd, 2012
9:13 pm
Since we are trying to bring homeboys back to the crib, please bring “Mr.Georgia Basketball” back home. Louis Williams!!!! Having 3ATLiens would pack the house! Not to mention the tempo this team would play with. Just let it marinade… Thank me later. Btw, Quizz Rodgers my starting halfback, watch that Texan run this year!!!!!!