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
O'Brien
July 3rd, 2012
9:13 pm
From espn.com;
Former Northwestern Wildcats forward John Shurna has signed to play with the Atlanta Hawks in the upcoming Las Vegas NBA summer league..
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/colleges/post/_/id/6297/shurna-to-play-for-hawks-in-summer-league/
Melvin
July 3rd, 2012
9:13 pm
MajikMan,
Horford is a two time Allstar and All NBA player. What has Lopez accomplish? Go ahead and trade for Lopez and watch yall be stuck with him. Nobody wants Lopez, hence why he’s not being courted by other teams like Hibbert and Asik. Both of those guys are RFA just like Lopez….lol
Grandad
July 3rd, 2012
9:13 pm
Astro Joe
” I don’t want Dwight ”
If that was really you ?
It`s hard to tell with the imposter runnin` around.
I`m glad to have a comrade in this debate.
Melvin
July 3rd, 2012
9:16 pm
Grandad,
I will answer for Astro. Yes, that was him in rare form. You can add Josh to that list for him as well…LOL
O'Brien
July 3rd, 2012
9:17 pm
Deron had to choose between 4 years, $75 mil with the Mavs, and 5 years, $98 mil with Nets. Is anyone surprised he chose the Nets (especially after Wallace and JJ were added to the team)?
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
9:17 pm
Melvin, then he should sign an extension and get that extra year. Instead, he seems to want to hold onto his options. If he decides to bolt (with or without Josh), we don’t get back Al, Teague and draft picks nor do we get to return the bad contract (even if we keep the receipt).
Did you all read the stories about him filing a grievance with the union to get his free agency now? Evidently, Orlando refused to allow him to opt into his contract without representation. Otis Smith told him to “sleep on it” and bring his agent (or legal support) the next morning. And now he’s trying to claim that Orlando cooerced him into opting into the contract. And when did he opt in? In February? And now, 4-5 months later, he’s claiming that someone twisted one of those big arms? Why didn’t he make that allegation when the Magic were eliminated? Or after SVG and Smith left the Magic? Why did he wait until after the draft? Something isn’t quite right with that guy. I’m not happy about it, I was hoping that he would be a different type of role model.
Too much risk.
Reality Check
July 3rd, 2012
9:18 pm
EmirS.
July 3rd, 2012
8:59 pm
“@Reality Check
you can’t be serious….
I’m done…just wow.”
Emir, that wasn’t me that was the Horford hating troll. In fact all of the Horford hating posts tonight are by the same troll who loves to steal the handle of anyone who dares disagree with him. He’s the one pestering Grandad with the Sandusky BS. He’s also the one posting as Andy Griffith, among dozens of other handles. If you cross him, he’ll steal your handle to say things that you never would have. That’s his M.O.
It’s highly likely that he’ll steal my handle again tonight, as he did twice earlier (8:43 and 8:58).
Just Joe
July 3rd, 2012
9:19 pm
Shurna is another shooter. 40%+ taking over 6 per game.
Shurna, Butch, Jenkins, Scott, Caracter, Hazell, Sy…..Wannamaker may rack up some assists in summer league.
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
9:20 pm
G’dad, yessir, I don’t want Dwight. See above… (and doc’s fine post as well).
O'Brien
July 3rd, 2012
9:21 pm
Deron had to choose between 4 years, $75 mil with Dallas, or 5 years, $98 mil with Nets. Is anyone surprised he chose the Nets (especially after they added Gerald Wallace and JJ)?
Andy Griffith
July 3rd, 2012
9:21 pm
A poll at the Bleacher Report article referenced above asks which team Howard will start for at the beginning of the 2012-13 NBA season. Right now, the Lakers are winning the vote by a landslide at 40.5 percent with the Hawks at 23.9 percent of the votes and the Nets at 21.1 percent of votes.
Sports fans, what do you think? Will Howard ultimately land in Atlanta or Brooklyn, or will the Lakers manage to get him aligned with Kobe for another championship run?
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
9:22 pm
Just Joe, is Wanamaker the kid from Temple?
Andy Griffith
July 3rd, 2012
9:24 pm
NBA Trade Rumors 2012: Dwight Howard to Atlanta Hawks from Orlando Magic?
July 03, 2012 08:31 PM EDT
The latest of the NBA trade rumors and news for 2012 continues to involve Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard. While he wants to play for the Brooklyn Nets, and there’s word that the Los Angeles Lakers are interested in trading Bynum for Howard, the Hawks could be the team that ends up with D-Howard.
Recent Dwight Howard rumors and news involved the big man flat out demanding to be sent to Brooklyn from Orlando. While most people would want it the other way around based on climate and scenery, Howard wants that championship ring which he could achieve with Deron Williams at the point.
An article from Bleacher Report speculates on the potential for a move of Howard to the Hawks, based on Atlanta recently sending Joe Johnson to Brooklyn. The article notes that Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated has said the Hawks are “in the mix” for D-Howard. Also of note, Howard is from Atlanta, and also friends with Josh Smith and Anthony Morrow, whom the Hawks recently acquired.
So what would the Hawks have as trade value for this deal? Possibly Al Horford and Jeff Teague as well as other expiring contracts. While those don’t sound too exciting on their face, Horford is a rising star and top power forward in the league, as well as a former All-Star. The Magic would certainly be able to use him in building a new contending team.
However, another thing to consider is that quite possibly the Nets are bringing in the names they are in an effort to woo the Magic with some top-notch veterans in Joe Johnson and Gerald Wallace. Could these two be part of the trade bait they are putting together for the Magic, or maybe even to swing a multi-team deal with another team? It always gets interesting around this time of year, and with the Miami Heat talking about adding another star to their elite roster, it’s making plenty of sense that teams like the Hawks and Nets both want Howard.
A poll at the Bleacher Report article referenced above asks which team Howard will start for at the beginning of the 2012-13 NBA season. Right now, the Lakers are winning the vote by a landslide at 40.5 percent with the Hawks at 23.9 percent of the votes and the Nets at 21.1 percent of votes.
Sports fans, what do you think? Will Howard ultimately land in Atlanta or Brooklyn, or will the Lakers manage to get him aligned with Kobe for another championship run?
MajikMan
July 3rd, 2012
9:25 pm
“Go ahead and trade for Lopez and watch yall be stuck with him. ”
I doubt that, since y’all just traded the worst contract in the league. If Joe Johnson’s contract coulod be moved anything is possible. Lopez is a seven footer with a back to the basket game, and you think we’d be stuck with him? LMFAO. Didn’t half your blog scream for Fab Melo without an offensive game? Yes, they did.
Andy Griffith
July 3rd, 2012
9:28 pm
Sorry guys I tried to paste the link but it kept getting block so I posted the story… its 25 minutes old
Just Joe
July 3rd, 2012
9:31 pm
Most here asked for Melo in hopes that he can rebound and defend. Those are two skills that Lopez has proven he does not own. Melo would also make a little over $1M a year. Lopez (in order to make your sign and trade work), will make in excess of $10M a year for at least 3 years. Lopez can score. I’ll give you that. He doesn’t do much else though.
Rev in Tampa
July 3rd, 2012
9:31 pm
Melvin,
I cosign everything you have posted tonight. Exactly what I’ve been thinking.
Andy Griffith
July 3rd, 2012
9:33 pm
Reality Check sounds like you accusing me of something I have no part in. Whatever you got going is to detract from the subject here.. .which is will we get D12 or not. What ever side show you got going please leave me out.
The real issue is what do you think of D12 and his chances of landing in ATL.
Melvin
July 3rd, 2012
9:33 pm
Astro,
Ok, go ahead and gamble with 2013 FA like Paul. Uh, you may want to rethink that.
“While there has already been speculation that Paul will bolt to join fellow 2013 unrestricted free agent Dwight Howard on a new team such as the Atlanta Hawks or Houston Rockets, the superstar point guard seems committed to the Clippers. Even though he didn’t put pen to paper, he’s going about his business as if he expects to be in Los Angeles for years to come.”
http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-pm-paul-seems-commited-to-clippers
Melvin
July 3rd, 2012
9:34 pm
Rev in Tampa,
Thanks….
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
9:34 pm
I heard that NJ promised Gerald Wallace that they would not trade him this summer before he signed his 4/$40M deal. Things can always change, of course.
O'Brien
July 3rd, 2012
9:34 pm
Question for my armchair computer GM bloggers;
If we are unable to trade for Dwight (for whatever reason), instead of waiting until the offseason to go after him or Bynum, would you try and trade for Bynum under the following conditions;
1) Lakers take Horford, Teague, and a first round pick (would you include a second first round pick if it was a deal breaker) and
2) Bynum agrees to an extension
Barak Obama
July 3rd, 2012
9:37 pm
“They will try and create a trade for him again when the Magic put him back on the trading block. … Al Horford responds: “I guess I’m heading back to Florida”
TMACfan
July 3rd, 2012
9:37 pm
And to think just a week ago… we were all talking about Pau Gasol… haha
LOLOLOL
ryan
July 3rd, 2012
9:39 pm
The Nets seem to do much to quickly now there in box the Hawks were looking to clear cap space and be players for 2013 FA .
doc
July 3rd, 2012
9:41 pm
andy glad you liked it. now who are you at other times? sorry about your death, you were huge when i was growing up.
i am afraid the point was overlooked by many and was as much a part of the overall effect of getting rid of jj delivered to the nets door. i think in the end we are stronger in time and certainly wont have to worry too much about d12 going to the nets or even staying in the east. if we get em good but i am not holding my breath nor will a go into an hysteric fit like some will if we dont.
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
9:43 pm
Melvin, yeah, I read that. I’d love CP3, no doubt. But there are other elite PGs who could be had next summer (via trade). Really, if Dwight and Josh are gung ho about playing together for the Hawks, isn’t it as simple as calling Ferry and telling him as much? Isn’t it as simple as asking him to start working on extensions for Josh (which he obviously could do) and presumably Howard would simply get the max salary, so that can’t be too hard. Much like the Josh trade rumors, this is fairly easy to resolve…. place a call, get the ball rolling and then come with an ink pen to Ferry’s office. Absent that, we’re left with speculation of their intent if they play together in November, 2012. Dang intent… put it in writing! I won’t like it, but it would be a whole lot better than sending away known talent and production for a hope and a prayer that they will stick around.
KevinM
July 3rd, 2012
9:44 pm
O’Brien
July 3rd, 2012
9:17 pm
Deron had to choose between 4 years, $75 mil with the Mavs, and 5 years, $98 mil with Nets. Is anyone surprised he chose the Nets (especially after Wallace and JJ were added to the team)?”
OB, I heard on Deron’s visit that Cuban never even made an appearance at the festivities. That told me he was staying put.
Your logic, however, makes more sense. Same for when we signed Joe. No one was going to come close to those nimbers.
As from dealing with the LAL for Bynum, they won’t be trading Bynum unless its D12, which is almost a wash IMO.
And looking back, isn’t it fortunate that the LAL/Gasol to ATL/Josh deal didn’t go through? We appear to be in much better shape with the top big man in the league, at least according to teams starting to drop out of the running.
Thank you Billy King from the bottom of my suffering Atlanta Hawks heart. I knew you were good for something even back in Philly.
Andy Griffith
July 3rd, 2012
9:44 pm
O’Brien Im no GM but weve got to upgrade. Would a Bynum and Josh front line be awesome? Yeah!
Would we give up too much? I would toggle qualifiers on the 2nd rounder like… if he is with in the first seven picks of the second round then the hawks keep him and you get a second the following year…. or something to minimize the impact. But for this franchise to move. We got to get a real center and talent now. We’ve been saying that for 4 years or more.
doc
July 3rd, 2012
9:45 pm
gdad i am luke warm on d12. if we got him a walmart prices in a trade then fine.
if the lakers want him then they get him. stern owes the lakers a bone since he wouldnt give em cp3. heh heh
Melvin
July 3rd, 2012
9:45 pm
Astro,
I think the Hawks can hold firm and not accept a bad contract in return with Howard. At least, that’s what I will do. Consider the Nets can’t take Howard and a bad contract for cap purposes. The Lakers wants Howard to sign a contract extension prior to the trade which he has express he does not want to play for LA. And I think the Rockets and Mavs don’t have the attractive trading pieces that the Magic like in return. All this to say, I think the Magic could be losing more leverage as they approached the trade deadline with trading Dwight. Any team outside of the Nets will have to choose how they want to gamble to acquire Howard.
KevinM
July 3rd, 2012
9:50 pm
So here’s what I’m thinking on the Hawks deal…..sounds like Henigan would like to try and clear cap space as well.
Is Zaza going to have to be included in the deal? We may have to take back Jason Richardson to get it done.
Who’s buying? I am because I cannot think of any one superstar that we can consider should this deal fall through. If you take Turkoglu, you have a SF potentially as we will have a glut of 2’s on our roster. He’ll cost you about 6M more than JRich.
This is going to kill the Lakers, who are struggling to get a deal done.
I always said never ever deal with the Lakers or Celtics. They dont’ have 1/2 the LO’B trophies by making bad moves!
KevinM
July 3rd, 2012
9:52 pm
Looking at hoopshype, Bynum appears to be free and clear come 2013.
But its D12 or bust in a Bynum deal.
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
9:52 pm
I’m far from a Lopez fan but he and Humphries do make a very nice duo because Humphries is happy to grab 10-12 boards. At the end of the day, they still combine to deliver ~16 boards/game. Throw in a strong rebounding Gerald Wallace and that is a nice frontcourt to go with Joe & Deron in the backcourt. Not a ton of rim protection, but for a team that hasn’t sniffed the playoffs in a long minute, that fanbase has to be excited.
OB, yes, I’ll use the summer cap space to buy a PG.
Andy Griffith
July 3rd, 2012
9:53 pm
Doc, Melvin, If D12 inst traded by the deadline. Can he just walk after the season with Orlando getting nothing?
doc
July 3rd, 2012
9:55 pm
andy yes, just like josh can away from the hawks without looking back and no strings attached.
Just Joe
July 3rd, 2012
9:56 pm
My backup plan to Howard would be Joakim Noah. Bulls are in cap hell. Something like ZaZa, Morrow, S&T Hinrich, and Houston’s pick for Noah and Korver.
This would save the Bulls several million this year (enough to match on Asik?), and would allow what was Noah’s future salary to be split up among a couple players. Plus they get the future draft pick.
Andy Griffith
July 3rd, 2012
10:01 pm
I guess Al could have done that too, Doc, but he lobbied for and got the extension he wanted maybe Josh will do the same. Im thinking D.Ferry has to be thinking big, and the possibility of pairing Josh and D12, how could he not? that Poll I posted basically gives the decision to the Lakers or the Hawks.
40% to 27% and 23% to the Nets which we no that aint happening.
Andy Griffith
July 3rd, 2012
10:02 pm
Doc that has to put a lot of pressure on Orlando to do something…..
Andy Griffith
July 3rd, 2012
10:05 pm
“andy glad you liked it. now who are you at other times? sorry about your death, you were huge when i was growing up”
I missed that . LOL
rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated
ryan
July 3rd, 2012
10:11 pm
@Andy Griffith Citizens Arrest my favorite episode .
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
10:11 pm
Melvin, it is definitely a game of chicken. Howard can expedite his departure by agreeing to an extension. No doubt, Orlando would get better offers from other teams.
Macaroni Tony
July 3rd, 2012
10:14 pm
I like that John Shurna kid, any one besides MW at the three.
ryan
July 3rd, 2012
10:17 pm
$98 million for Derron and plus Joe Johnson Nets are out and also with no trade able players .
doc
July 3rd, 2012
10:18 pm
andy, with rod, dawgnole and gm jeje among others, i am reminded of my demise almost daily. after all, what are friends for, right?
yup, andy and they have botched it thus far. those fans will possibly lose shaq and d12 in a short life time for the nba.
Melvin
July 3rd, 2012
10:18 pm
Astro,
I think Howard and Josh wants to be courted during free agency just like other big name free agents have done in the past. Keep in mind, this will be their first time as a true free agent. I could be wrong but if they sign an extension now, they wouldn’t be eligible for the 5th year. I thought you have to be a UFA to get the 5th year.
SteveW
July 3rd, 2012
10:18 pm
Wanamaker is from Pitt if that question has not already been answered.
And Shurna seemed to destroy Tech every time they played.
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
10:19 pm
Just Joe, I like your trade idea with the Bulls.
I wish I could figure out a trade for Derrick Williams. But the T’Wolves really don’t have cap issues… they just don’t have a ton of talent throughout their roster. Meanwhile, Williams (and Wes Johnson) can’t get a lot of playing time. I’m not sure that Derrick is a true forward, I think he could be a really nice player. Adding a budding star like that would be very, very sweet. If we didn’t have 37 guards on the roster, I’d say the same about OJ Mayo, a very interesting young talent.
KevinM
July 3rd, 2012
10:22 pm
Macaroni Tony, and a new SF won’t cost you 8M for part time production.
I would like to see TMac come back and put some work in on our frontline.
SteveW
July 3rd, 2012
10:23 pm
D12, if healthy, is a generational talent. And marketed correctly, he and Smoove will sell out Phillips most of the time – mostly D12. He would be the biggest thing, literally and figuratively, to hit the ATL in a long time.
But I do appreciate the points about his mental and physical health, and the combustibility factor with he and Smoove.
I just say get him.
And since CPaul loves LA, and is just waiting till next season so he gets the extra 2 years and 48 mill according to some reports (Hoopshype), who else do we target with all that cap space next Summer if we whiff on Dwight and CP3?
Al Jefferson?
Who’s the next PG that’s a FA after Paul – Jarret Jack? I’m not sure.